The curtain came down on Messi’s glittering Argentina career in his emotional farewell match on Tuesday night.
The tearful World Cup winner, 39, lined up against Benin, some 21 years since he made his debut as a precocious teenager in 2005 against Hungary.
Away from football, thanks to millions amassed from huge contracts with Barcelona, PSG, and Inter Miami, Messi has generated a massive global empire worth a reported £830million.
He has stakes in four clubs, Spanish sides, UE Cornella and CD Eldense, Uruguayan’s Deportivo LSM, as well as Inter Miami, when he retires.
Like his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo, his property portfolio also boasts several hotels in places including Ibiza and Andorra.
While Adidas signed him up to a lifetime deal that will only serve to make him even richer.
Messi told the America Business Forum last year: “Business is something that interests me. I would like to keep learning because I know nothing and I am just starting out.”
Giving back to football
Ronaldo recently invested his money in second-tier team, Almeria.
He followed Messi in investing in Spanish football, which the Barcelona legend has now laid the groundwork for.
In April, he bought UE Cornella, which sits on the outskirts of the City of Counts.
They’re in the fifth tier, but have provided a rich source of talent in the past to bigger clubs, including Jordi Alba, David Raya, and Keita Baldé.
Messi has also renewed his rivalry with Ronaldo by investing in CD Eldense, who also play in the second division in Spain.
The impact was immediate, with sponsors throwing themselves at the club to be associated with the great man.
In 2025, Messi teamed up with former Barça teammate Luis Suarez and founded Deportivo LSM in Uruguay.
Already, they’ve been promoted to the third tier there.
According to reports, Messi is planning on building and acquiring a network of clubs.
There is also an option for shares in Inter Miami, when he finally hangs up his boots.
However, it’s unlikely he will go full David Beckham and launch his own franchise.
Hotels & other business interests
Back in June, Forbes estimated Messi’s worth to be $1.1billion, around £830million in our money.
His earnings across the year were believed to be around $140million (£106million), which was down to both football and his business interests outside of the game.
In terms of endorsements, he’s still on to a big earner with Adidas who signed him up to a lifetime deal. That is said to be worth around $1billion (£755million) in itself.
Back in 2017, Messi entered the hotel industry buying the MiM Sitges hotel near Barcelona, Spain.
He now boasts six boutique hotels, including in Ibiza, Andorra, and Mallorca.
Partnering with the Majestic hotel group, they are managed by Melia Hotels as part of the Melia Collection.
In Rosario, where Messi hails from, his family business manages a 24 home development next to the Parana river called Carrasco M.
His former international teammate Angel Di Maria has a property agency that handles the sales for the plot.
Messi is also proving to be somewhat of a foodie. He put money into the El Club de la Milanesa restaurant chain, who specialise in Argentinian fare.
According to reports, plans are in place to open five restaurants in Catalonia, with the first coming to the affluent Castelldefels area.
Messi hasn’t been shy in showing his love for the caffeine-rich infused herbal drink, Mate.
In 2024, drinkware brand Stanley announced a collaboration with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner in a multi-year deal, and he advises the group on designs and colours.
Messi’s business empire was started by his late father, Jorge Messi, who died in August.
It is now a well-oiled machine that will keep Messi continuously earning a substantial amount of cash – Sun.
