LIONEL
MESSI
NATIONALITY
ARGENTINA
SPORT
SOCCER
AGE
33
$130 M
#2
Lionel Messi kept the soccer world on edge with last year’s failed attempt to leave Barcelona, a melodrama later punctuated by a leaked contract that showed the cash-strapped club is paying him far more than previously thought. He pads that pay with sponsorships including a lifetime deal with Adidas, as well as a clothing line designed by Ginny Hilfiger, sister of Tommy Hilfiger. Last month, Messi sent signed jerseys to Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac to help secure 50,000 Covid-19 vaccines ahead of the Copa América soccer tournament. Expect more intrigue when his contract expires in June.
DAVID RAMOS/Getty Images
ON THE FIELD
OFF THE FIELD
$33 M
$97 M