Despite earning tens of millions of dollars from football salaries and endorsements, Lionel Messi is no longer the highest paid athlete in the world. This is what he has achieved as a star striker of FC Barcelona, this is the club he has played for his entire career.
Although Messi has made a staggering $130 million in the past 12 months, he has not become Forbes list of highest paid athletes World rankings in 2021. He was defeated by Connor McGregor, the biggest star in the world of mixed martial arts, and his income is estimated to be $180 million. exit.
The 34-year-old football legend previously Climbed to the top of the Forbes list For the first time in 2019, it ranks among the world’s highest paid sports stars. Total revenue of 127 million U.S. dollars That year, Messi surpassed boxing icon Floyd Mayweather, who had topped the list four times.
Messi eliminated by tennis superstar Roger Federer Forbes 2020 list And ranked third, lower than the second and also the football legend Cristiano Ronaldo. However, a few months later, Messi beat Ronaldo to the top of the magazine’s list. 2020 ranking One of the highest paid football players in the world, with an income of 126 million U.S. dollars.
According to a Spanish newspaper report, the leak of the contract between Messi and FC Barcelona in January showed that the club captain’s annual salary and bonus amounted to US$165 million. world Report. Forbes pointed out that this number is much higher than previously imagined, “unparalleled” in team sports.
According to Forbes, in addition to his $97 million salary and bonus, Messi has earned $33 million in endorsement contracts in the past year.
He has established partnerships with numerous brands and companies, including Anheuser-Busch InBev, Gatorade, Hard Rock Cafe, Jacob & Co, Ooredoo and Pepsi.Messi also signed a lifetime contract with Adidas Signed in 2017.
Besides, his Instagram account Has 242 million fans. Messi uses the platform to post about his charity work and promote his lifestyle brand, Messi StoreHe launched his own clothing line and opened his first retail store in Barcelona, Spain in 2019.
For these reasons, Messi, who has won the FIFA Player of the Year award six times and the European Golden Boot Award for best scorer, is estimated to be worth $600 million. Celebrity net worth.
Since the beginning of his football career, Messi has also been actively involved in charity. He founded the Messi Foundation to help poor children provide better education and health care opportunities, and participated in numerous fundraising activities.
The football star also donated US$1 million last year to fight COVID-19.
It was reported this week that Messi would not renew his contract with Barcelona after being unable to finalize a new contract with the club, according to an official statement. Club’s websiteThe statement cited “financial and structural barriers” as the reason for not signing the agreement.
“Although Barcelona and Messi have reached an agreement, and the two parties clearly intend to sign a new contract today, due to economic and structural obstacles (Spanish La Liga regulations), the official signing will not be possible,” Read the statement Football reporter Fabrizio Romano shared on Twitter.
“Because of this situation, Messi will not stay at FC Barcelona. Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the players and the club will not be realized in the end,” the announcement continued. “Barcelona FC sincerely thank the player for his contribution to the growth of the club, and wish him all the best in the future in his personal and professional career.”
Lionel Messi will lead the Argentina team because the goal of the six-time Ballon d’Or winner is to finally break the trophy shortage in top international competitions
Photo: AFP/Raul ARBOLEDA
