Lionel Messi Reaches Billionaire Status as Inter Miami Elevates Wealth and Global Profile

Lionel Messi has entered the billionaire club, as tracked by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The Inter Miami captain is now the second footballer to reach this level. Cristiano Ronaldo reached it earlier, helped by the 2023 move to Al-Nassr. The index focuses on wealth after adjusting for wider financial factors.

Bloomberg estimates Lionel Messi has earned more than $700 million (£521 million) in wages and bonuses since 2007. The index then accounts for tax, investment gains, endorsements and market shifts. After these adjustments, Bloomberg values Lionel Messi’s personal fortune at over $1 billion. The calculation links playing income with commercial and financial returns.

The review places Lionel Messi next to Ronaldo, the first footballer listed as a billionaire. Bloomberg notes Ronaldo’s profile has expanded with heavy marketing activity. Lionel Messi’s wealth path is described as steadier, with family input and fewer, chosen partnerships. Bloomberg says sponsorships and investments across Europe and the United States supported the rise.

That context appears as football faces arguments over commercial growth. One example is the debate captured in "World Cup 2026 expansion raises debate: More teams, more games, but is football losing its edge?". Bloomberg’s analysis links individual earnings to wider trends in the sport’s business model. It also underlines how endorsements can reshape athlete wealth over time.

Off the pitch, Lionel Messi’s presence in North America has expanded. Goal.com reported a New Jersey township named part of a street "Leo Messi Way". The section sits on Sherman Avenue in Berkeley Heights. The move honoured the Argentina captain after the FIFA World Cup win in Qatar in 2022.

Berkeley Heights, in Union County, has a population slightly above 13,000. The BH FIFA World Cup 26 Task Force approved the change. The body was formed to support civic events before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will be co-hosted by the USA, Mexico and Canada. Another concern appeared in "FIFA 2026: Fewer Indians likely to travel to US World Cup amid rising costs".

Lionel Messi billionaire: Inter Miami impact and Argentina fixtures

Since Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, MLS attendances rose at many grounds. The shift also drew interest from established European players considering MLS spells. On the field, Lionel Messi will lead Argentina into the next cycle with stronger US attention. Argentina sit in Group J with Austria, Jordan and Algeria.

Item	Detail
Group	J
Opponents	Austria, Jordan, Algeria
Opener	Argentina vs Algeria
Venue	Kansas City
Date	June 16

Bloomberg’s index shows how Lionel Messi’s playing income, endorsements and investments combined into a ten-figure fortune. The report also keeps Cristiano Ronaldo as the first footballer listed as a billionaire. At the same time, Lionel Messi’s US profile has grown through Inter Miami’s draw and public recognition. The wider World Cup 2026 build-up continues to shape interest and debate.