I just reviewed how Messi's wealth has evolved over the past decade, and the truth is that the growth is impressive. From 2016 to 2026, his net worth went from around $280 million to nearly $900 million. It's not just because of football, obviously.

The numbers show an interesting pattern: Messi's net worth remained relatively stable between 2016 and 2020, hovering around $400 million. But starting in 2021, it began to accelerate, jumping to $600 million that year. Since then, it has continued to rise, first to $650-700 million in 2023, then to $800 million in 2024, and now to $850-900 million in 2025-2026.

Forbes and Bloomberg note that this comes from elite contracts, record sponsorships, and commercial deals in Europe and the United States. High-profile transfers and success in global tournaments have also significantly boosted this growth. Apparently, after retiring from professional football, his endorsement and business income has remained very solid.

It's a good reminder of how elite athletes diversify their income beyond sports.