Lionel Messi is the highest-paid athlete on the planet. Here's his net worth and how he makes and spends his millions.

Barnaby LaneAug 20, 2022, 15:33 IST

Lionel Messi.Getty/Tnani Badreddine

Lionel Messi is the highest-paid athlete on the planet.
He took home $130 million between May 2021 and May 2022, according to Forbes.

Messi makes a ton of money on the field.

Messi is the world's highest-paid athlete.Getty/Franck Fife

According to Forbes, Messi took home an astonishing $75 million in on-field earnings over the last year – more than any other sportsperson on the planet.

His Paris Saint-Germain salary alone is worth $35 million annually, which means he earns $738,000 a week, or $105,000 a day, or $8,790 per hour.

The Argentine also pocketed a tidy $25 million joining fee when he signed for the French team last summer, reported the Evening Standard.

According to Forbes, Messi took home an astonishing $75 million in on-field earnings over the last year – more than any other sportsperson on the planet.

His Paris Saint-Germain salary alone is worth $35 million annually, which means he earns $738,000 a week, or $105,000 a day, or $8,790 per hour.

The Argentine also pocketed a tidy $25 million joining fee when he signed for the French team last summer, reported the Evening Standard.

But he also earns a lot off it.

His net worth is an eye-watering $600 million.

Leo Messi of Paris Saint-Germain looks on during warmup before the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Paris Saint Germain and ESTAC Troyes at Parc des Princes on May 08, 2022 in Paris, France.Photo by Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images

That's according to Wealthy Gorilla.

In total, he's earned over $1 billion during his career.

According to Forbes, Messi has earned $1.15 billion during his career on-and-off the field.

Only three currently active athletes – LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Tiger Woods – have ever earned more.

Only two other current athletes – Roger Federer and Floyd Mayweather – other than those mentioned above have ever surpassed $1 billion in career earnings, according to Forbes.

Messi likes to spend his money on luxury cars.

Messi owns a Ferrari F430 Spyder.Getty/Victor Malafronte

According to Goal, Messi's impressive car collection includes a $2 million Pagani Zonda Tricolore, a Ferrari F430 Spyder, a Dodge Charger SRT8, and a Maserati Gran Turismo.

The Argentine is rumored to have bought the most expensive car ever, a 1957 Ferrari 335 Sport Spider Scaglietti, for $37 million in 2016. He appeared to deny the speculation, however, by way of an Instagram post in which he shared a photo of himself holding up a toy car with the caption, "My new car."

According to Goal, Messi's impressive car collection includes a $2 million Pagani Zonda Tricolore, a Ferrari F430 Spyder, a Dodge Charger SRT8, and a Maserati Gran Turismo.

He owns a host of stunning properties.

As well as a number of hotels.

He has been forced to demolish his hotel in Barcelona, however.

Messi bought the building in 2017 for $35 million, at which point its demolition had already been approved because its balconies are too big.

He's unable to fix the issue too as any attempt to remove or downsize the balconies could result in the hotel collapsing.

Whoops.

To get around the world, Messi flies in his $15 million private jet.

He likes to vacation in Ibiza.

As well as in Argentina.

And in Miami.

Messi is very generous with his wealth.

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