Previously, only three athletes had achieved this. Lionel Messi becomes a billionaire
Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
Argentina's national team captain and Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi has officially joined the ranks of billionaire athletes. According to Forbes, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's fortune has reached $1.1 billion.
The 38-year-old Argentine has become only the fourth active athlete in history to surpass the one-billion-dollar mark during his playing career. Previously, this milestone was reached by LeBron James, Tiger Woods, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
According to reports, Messi's wealth is largely the result of his long-term football contracts, lucrative endorsement deals, and investment projects. Just last season, the Argentine earned around $70 million on the pitch and another $70 million through sponsorships and commercial ventures.
Remarkably, Messi has remained one of the highest-paid athletes in the world for 13 consecutive years. As he prepares for another World Cup campaign, the Argentine continues to perform at the elite level while solidifying his place among the wealthiest athletes in history.
According to Forbes rankings, Messi is also among the richest natives of Argentina and stands as one of the most successful athletes on the planet, both on and off the field.
