Messi's earning record, still half that of Ronaldo

Messi's earning record, still half that of Ronaldo

According to Vnexpress.

Background

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who are considered to be the biggest stars of football, have earned immense wealth in their career. The bulk of Messi's income comes from Inter Miami and various commercial contracts, while the majority of Ronaldo's income comes from Al Nasser. The earnings of both the players reflect their sporting performance and global brand value.

Why it matters

Lionel Messi's earnings are estimated at $145 million, the highest for his career. However, this is half of Cristiano Ronaldo's earnings of $300 million, which shows that both the legendary players still dominate the game in financial terms. This difference in his earnings also highlights his match impact and global popularity.

Key points

• Messi's earning record, still half that of Ronaldo.
• Lionel Messi is projected to earn $145 million in 2026-2027, but still half of Ronaldo's earnings of $300 million..
• After a long time of earning money, Messi is still half less than Ronaldo.

Lionel Messi is expected to earn $145 million in the 2026-2027 season, the most for his career. However, that is still less than half of Cristiano Ronaldo's earnings of $300 million. In the list of the world's highest-paid football players released by Forbes on October 17, Ronaldo is at the first place for the fourth year, while Messi is at the second place. Both the veteran players, aged 41 and 39 respectively, are nearing the end of their careers but still their earnings are much higher than other players.

Forbes is a leading business and financial publication that analyzes stories on economics, investing, technology and startups. The income of the players included in this list is calculated before taxes and representation fees and includes salaries, bonuses, endorsements and commercial activities. Ronaldo and Messi's combined earnings are estimated at $445 million, almost half of the $942 million listed this season. This figure is slightly down from last year's $945 million, mainly because Karim Benzema is no longer on the list.

Ronaldo's income is $300 million, of which $250 million is from Al Nasser and $50 million is from advertising and other business activities. Meanwhile, Messi is expected to receive $70 million from Inter Miami and $75 million from various business contracts and investments.

However, the professional appeal of both legends goes beyond their on-field performances. Forbes estimates that both have amassed enough wealth that they have become billionaires. Earlier this year, Ronaldo became the first active player to earn more than $2 billion in total earnings in his career. Messi is hoping to cross the same milestone next year.

Ronaldo is benefiting from his contract with Al Nasser, the club he joined at the end of 2022. The Portuguese striker has his own brand CR7, which includes fashion, perfume and hotel products, and has also invested in technology company Perplexity and wearable device company WHOOP. Ronaldo told Vogue magazine in August that the 2026-2027 season could be the final season of his professional career, but the 41-year-old has not yet made any official decision regarding retirement. He has scored 981 goals at club and international level and is just 19 goals away from the 1,000-goal milestone.

Messi has taken a different business path. The Inter Miami captain, who has long-standing partnerships with Mastercard and Michelob, has also signed new contracts with OpenAI and Duracell this year. His contract with Inter Miami runs until 2028, with an option to purchase club shares after his retirement. Messi has also signed a deal to buy Spain's second division club Aldense, having previously bought semi-pro club Cornellà, based near Barcelona. These investments can help them stay connected with the game.

In third place is Kylian Mbappe, who has a net worth of $100 million, of which $70 million is from Real Madrid and $30 million is from other sources. Mbappe recently ended his association with Nike and has signed a new deal with Swiss company Own, in which he is likely to get a stake. However, the value of the stake Mbappe will receive has not yet been made public.

Erling Haaland is in fourth place with earnings of $85 million, while Vinicius Jr. is in fifth place with $76 million. 19-year-old Lamin Yamal is in sixth place with $55 million, of which $35 million is from sports and $20 million from business activities. Yamal's earnings increased from $43 million the previous year, due to new sponsorship deals.

Sadio Mane is in seventh place with $54 million, followed by Jude Bellingham with $45 million, Harry Kane with $42 million and Mohamed Salah with $40 million. This year's list shows that the commercial appeal of young players is increasing, but they are still a far cry from the two stars who have ruled football for the past two decades. Mbappe, Haaland and Vinicius are 26-27 years old, while Yamal is only 19 years old. These young players could become icons of the future of football, but to reach the financial appeal of Ronaldo and Messi they will have to develop their brands and maintain their appeal for many years.

What will happen next

Both Messi and Ronaldo are in the final stages of their careers, but their commercial appeal is still strong. Next season, Messi's earnings are expected to increase, while Ronaldo's earnings may also be affected by his new contracts. The condition of this season and the performance of both the players will have a direct impact on their future earnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Lionel Messi earn?

Lionel Messi is expected to earn $145 million in the 2026-2027 season.

How much does Cristiano Ronaldo earn?

Cristiano Ronaldo's earnings are 300 million dollars.

What is the position of Messi and Ronaldo in the Forbes list?

Ronaldo is at first place in the Forbes list and Messi is at second place.

What is the total income of Messi and Ronaldo?

The total income of Messi and Ronaldo is estimated to be $445 million.

Does Messi aspire to become a billionaire?

Are you enjoying?

Yes, Messi is hoping to become a billionaire next year.

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