Lionel Messi, the soccer star, holds an estimated $1.1 billion net worth after earning about $140 million over the prior year, according to Forbes in its June 2026 billionaire report. His earnings mix Inter Miami salary, Apple and Adidas revenue shares, plus royalties and long-term brand partnerships.
Net worth means assets minus debts. Forbes also credits Messi with about $1.8 billion in career earnings before taxes and agents' fees. That total covers Barcelona, PSG and Inter Miami contracts plus endorsements and business, including a lifetime Adidas deal.
Table of Contents
- What is his Inter Miami salary?
- How do Apple and Adidas shares add to pay?
- Who pays him off the field?
- How should readers use net-worth numbers?
What is his Inter Miami salary?
The MLS Players Association lists Messi at $25 million in base salary for 2026. His guaranteed compensation is $28,333,333 under a 2026–2028 Inter Miami extension. Guaranteed compensation means base pay plus contracted bonuses.
That league figure is the highest MLS salary and tops more than 28 other team payrolls, according to the Associated Press via theScore in its May 2026 salary report. Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas puts the true annual cost at $70–$80 million across everything. The gap reflects separate Apple, Fanatics, sponsorship and equity elements outside league salary.
How do Apple and Adidas shares add to pay?
His 2023 Inter Miami package added a share of MLS Season Pass revenue from Apple TV. It also added a share of increased Adidas MLS merchandise profit.
Those cuts link his pay directly to subscriptions and shirt sales. For May 2025–May 2026, Messi earned about $140 million, roughly split between Inter Miami play and off-field income. Sports Illustrated, citing Forbes, ranked that third among 2026 highest-paid athletes and first among 2026 World Cup players.
Who pays him off the field?
His ongoing partners include Adidas since 2006, Apple, Mastercard, PepsiCo, Michelob Ultra/Budweiser and Hard Rock. He also draws licensing and merchandise royalties from MiM Hotels and the Messi Store. A U.S.
SEC Messi Store filing set a €4 million minimum guaranteed royalty for the Messi Store license over four years through Nov. 15, 2024. The license was later assigned to Centric Brands for $2 million cash plus the remaining obligation.
How should readers use net-worth numbers?
Net-worth figures are estimates before taxes and fees and range from about $850 million to $1.1 billion. Readers should compare numbers from the same Forbes window.
Inter Miami's $70–$80 million annual cost shows why $25 million base pay is only part of earnings. Add subscriptions, shirt-profit shares and royalties to judge total value.
- Compare the same Forbes window, not mixed sources or years.
- Add revenue-share and ownership value to league salary.
- Do not use base salary alone as total pay.