Lionel Messi is not only one of the greatest football players of all time but also one of the wealthiest athletes the world has ever seen. From his record-breaking contracts at Barcelona to his current role with Inter Miami, Lionel Messi salary has been the subject of endless fascination among fans, analysts, and media outlets.
How much does Messi actually earn every week? Did he really turn down a $1.5 billion contract? What does his salary look like when converted into rupees? And is Lionel Messi officially a billionaire? This in-depth article answers all those questions, with detailed breakdowns and context for 2025.
Lionel Messi Salary at Inter Miami
In 2023, Messi made headlines by leaving Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and choosing to join Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS). While many speculated he would move to Saudi Arabia for an eye-watering payday, Messi surprised the world by picking Miami instead.
According to the MLS Players Association, Lionel Messi’s base salary at Inter Miami is $12 million per year, with total guaranteed compensation of around $20.45 million annually. This figure includes base salary, bonuses, and other guaranteed payments.
That makes Messi the highest-paid player in MLS history, earning more than entire team rosters combined. Beyond this, his Miami deal also includes:
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Apple TV revenue-sharing: A portion of profits from Apple’s MLS Season Pass streaming service.
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Adidas revenue-sharing: As a global Adidas ambassador, Messi reportedly receives bonuses tied to merchandise sales.
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Marketing rights: Messi retains a cut of sponsorships linked to Inter Miami.
When you look beyond the base numbers, the Lionel Messi salary package in Miami may be worth significantly more than the reported $20.45 million.
How Much Money Does Messi Earn Per Week?
Fans often ask the simple question: How much does Lionel Messi earn per week? Breaking down his Inter Miami contract provides perspective:
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Annual Guaranteed Salary: $20.45 million
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Weekly Salary: ≈ $393,000 per week
This means Messi makes:
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Over $56,000 every single day
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More than $2,300 per hour
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Roughly $38 per minute, even while sleeping
These weekly earnings do not include endorsements, which bring Messi an additional $40–50 million annually. When combined, Lionel Messi salary plus endorsements easily surpasses $70 million per year.
Did Lionel Messi Get Offered $1.5 Billion?
One of the most dramatic salary rumors about Messi came in 2023, when Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal reportedly offered him a €1.5 billion contract (around $1.65 billion) to join the Saudi Pro League.
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The offer was said to cover three years, at roughly €500 million per season.
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If accepted, it would have been the largest sports contract in history, eclipsing Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi deal.
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Major outlets like FourFourTwo and ClutchPoints confirmed reports of the offer.
So, was Lionel Messi really offered $1.5 billion?
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Yes, reportedly. The Saudi bid was real and widely covered in global media.
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But Messi rejected it, choosing lifestyle, legacy, and long-term opportunities in Miami over the biggest payday in sports.
This decision highlighted that Messi values more than just salary — his family’s comfort, his football legacy, and potential ownership stakes mattered more.
Lionel Messi Salary in Indian Rupees
Football is beloved across South Asia, and fans often calculate Lionel Messi salary in local currencies. Converting his Inter Miami guaranteed compensation:
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Annual Salary: ≈ ₹1,190 crore
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Weekly Salary: ≈ ₹3.2 crore per week
In India, where average annual income is a fraction of this figure, Messi’s weekly paycheck equals decades of earnings for most professionals.
Lionel Messi Salary in Pakistani Rupees
For fans in Pakistan, Messi’s income in local currency looks even more staggering. Using approximate conversion rates:
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Annual Salary: ≈ Rs 38.3 billion
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Weekly Salary: ≈ Rs 737 million
This puts the scale of Lionel Messi salary into perspective — his weekly earnings in Pakistan equal the yearly budgets of small businesses and organizations.
Is Lionel Messi a Billionaire?
The debate about Messi’s billionaire status requires understanding two terms:
Career Earnings
Messi has already surpassed $1 billion in total career earnings, combining salaries, transfer bonuses, and endorsements. His long stay at Barcelona brought in hundreds of millions, and sponsorships with Adidas, Pepsi, Budweiser, and Gatorade continue to add huge sums.
Net Worth
As of 2025, Messi’s net worth is estimated between $650 million and $850 million. While some sources casually label him a billionaire, most experts agree he hasn’t yet crossed that line in net worth.
So:
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Yes, Messi is a billionaire in career earnings.
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No, Messi is not yet a billionaire in personal net worth.
By comparison, athletes like LeBron James and Tiger Woods are officially billionaires thanks to broader investments and business ventures. Messi, however, is closing in fast.
Endorsements That Add to Lionel Messi Salary
While his salary at Inter Miami is impressive, Messi earns even more off the pitch. His endorsements consistently push him into the top tier of Forbes’ highest-paid athletes list. Key deals include:
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Adidas: Lifetime partnership worth hundreds of millions.
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PepsiCo: Long-term global sponsorship campaigns.
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Budweiser: Beer brand sponsor since 2020.
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Gatorade: Regular global campaigns showcasing Messi.
On top of this, Messi has invested in real estate, luxury hotels, and family-run businesses in Argentina and Spain, further boosting his fortune.
Why Messi Chose Inter Miami Over $1.5 Billion
The Lionel Messi salary package in Miami is smaller than Saudi Arabia’s $1.5 billion offer, but several non-financial factors influenced his choice:
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Lifestyle: Miami offers a comfortable environment, schools, and privacy for his family.
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Legacy: Expanding football’s popularity in the U.S. was a new challenge for Messi.
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Future Opportunities: Reports suggest Messi could secure partial ownership of Inter Miami after his playing career.
Messi’s decision proves he values long-term vision over short-term money.
Lionel Messi Salary: Final Thoughts
Lionel Messi salary continues to amaze the world. At Inter Miami, he earns nearly $400,000 per week, making him the highest-paid player in MLS history. He turned down a record-breaking $1.5 billion Saudi offer, choosing lifestyle and legacy over the biggest paycheck in sports.
When converted into rupees, his salary runs into thousands of crores, underscoring his status as one of the wealthiest athletes alive. While Messi is not yet a billionaire in net worth, he has already crossed the billion-dollar threshold in career earnings.
For fans and financial analysts alike, Messi’s journey shows how football superstars are no longer just athletes — they are global brands commanding unprecedented sums.
Published by News Zio
