The Argentinian wizard who recently called it a day from international football is one of the most marketable people on the planet, and that has its perks. According to the Forbes Lionel Messi earns a cumulative £14.5 million after tax from Barcelona as part of his wages and a total of $77 million including bonuses and endorsements.
Also read: How does Lionel Messi’s house look like?
The Barcelona man has no doubt earned his position at the top of the pile of most paid footballers, starting his career at the age of 16, he has been the nightmare of defences for more than a decade. Graduating from the famous La Masia academy, he slotted right in beside the likes of Ronaldinho and Eto'o.
In 2005, he signed his first Barcelona contract, which would keep him as a Barcelona player till 2010, and the contract had a buy-out clause of 150 million euros (that is a crazy amount for a teenager in 2005). But, soon there were talks of the Milan giants interested in the little magician, and Barcelona were compelled to give him another raise and a new contract which tied him to the club till 2014.
After announcing himself to the world in 2008 and post his first Ballon d'Or nomination signed his first mega contract at Barcelona, and won them the Champions League that year, in the process becoming the highest earning player in the history of Barcelona.
As contract talks came up again and some totally bizarre rumours of him going to Chelsea, his contract was renewed in 2014, making him the highest paid footballer in the world. As of 2016 his, Net worth is $220 million. It remains to be seen if his (proposed) jail sentence takes affects his relationships sponsors like Pepsi, Adidas, Dolce & Gabbana and AirEuropa.
Update: Lionel Messi has since got back and rejoined the National side.
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