Overcoming LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar in the Forbes 2022 list, Lionel Messi has become the highest paid athlete in the world.

Not only is the name known to football fans, the influence of Lionel Messi in popular culture is immense. Owning a successful sports career, it is not surprising to know that Lionel Messi has made a lot of money both on and off the pitch.

For more than 20 years of playing professionally, Messi has always maintained his top position

According to Forbes, the Argentine soccer superstar earned $130 million between May 2021 and May 2022. He even surpassed the world’s top basketball star LeBron James, rival Cristiano Ronaldo and close brother Neymar in the list of the world’s highest-paid athletes in 2022.

Of course, with such a huge amount of money, Messi’s life filled with luxury will surely make many fans overwhelmed.

Highest paid in the world

Lionel Messi is considered the best football player of all time

According to Forbes, in 2022, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner brought in an incredible $75 million in income if only on-field activities are counted, more than any other athlete. any other sport on the planet.

Accordingly, the contract with the rich French team  Paris Saint-Germain alone has helped “The Goat” earn 35 million USD/year, equivalent to 673,000 USD/week. According to the Evening Standard, in addition to his huge high salary, the 35-year-old striker also received a $26 million bribe  before signing a contract with PSG in the summer of 2021.

Signing a contract with PSG club helps Messi earn a lot of money

Make money off the field

Forbes also reports that Messi’s off-field income is about $55 million by 2022. This amount makes him the third-largest player in the list of athletes with the largest off-field earnings in the world. , just behind tennis icon Roger Federer and NBA superstar LeBron James.

Accordingly, most of the money off the pitch that Messi earns comes from advertising activities. In addition to the $ 20 million/year contract with Socios, he is also the face of many leading brands in the world such as  Adidas, Budweiser and PepsiCo.

Messi is the face for the world’s top brands

And yet, the former Barcelona striker also owns countless luxury real estate, the most expensive include a  $ 7 million mansion on the outskirts of Barcelona (Spain),  a villa in his hometown of Rosario. (Argentina) or an entire floor of a luxury apartment building in Saint Isles Beach, Florida (USA). Since 2017, Messi also officially owns the MiM Hotels chain, operated by Majestic Hotel Group, which has resorts in Ibiza, Majorca and Barcelona.

The hotel is owned by the star of Argentina

Fun only for the super rich

Of course, football is Messi’s biggest passion. However, he also has a lot of love for luxury cars and owns a massive collection that includes many “luxury” cars such as the $2 million  Pagani Zonda Tricolore, Ferrari F430 Spyder, Dodge Charger SRT8. and Maserati Gran Turismo,…

The luxury car collection of “The Goat” makes many people overwhelmed

To serve the purpose of traveling to visit his family, Messi also owns a private jet worth 15 million USD. Are known. Messi’s private jet Gulfstream V possesses many luxurious amenities including two kitchens and bathrooms, and can accommodate up to 16 passengers.

Actively doing charity

Possessing a large fortune and a personality that is admired by many, Messi also does not disappoint when he is a regular contributor to social activities. As a young soccer star, he founded the ” Lionel Messi Foundation” in partnership with Unicef ​​to help vulnerable 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren around the world.

Messi is known as an active player in the football world

According to Unicef, in 2017, Messi donated his own money to help fund the building of classrooms for 1,600 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren orphaned by the war in Syria, while in 2019 the foundation donated $218,000 to provide food. food and water for people in Kenya.

“I get excited every day when I see a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 smile, when he thinks there’s hope, when I see them feel happy. That’s why we  decided to set up the Leo Messi Foundation, and I will continue to fight to bring happiness to the 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren “- shared Messi.