How does Tom Brady’s net worth compare to Lionel Messi’s? Comparing the two GOATs in chase of glory

Tom Brady and Lionel Messi have enchanted us over the last two decades. Brady has won it all on the football field. Messi has mesmerized us in soccer stadiums. Today, we have to recognize that both of them are closer to the end of their careers than we would want them to be.

Tom Brady has won seven Super Bowls, three league MVP awards and holds the record for most passing yards and touchdowns in the league. Lionel Messi has racked up 11 league titles (10 in Spain and 1 in France), four Champions League wins and has been named world footballer of the year a record seven times.

There is no denying that these two are GOATs in their respective professions. Brady is still playing, having been unretired this offseason and chasing his eighth Super Bowl. Messi, meanwhile, having all that is there to achieve at the club level, wants to win a World Cup with Argentina to add to the South American continental Copa America title he won last year.

Due to their successes, both Tom Brady and Lionel Messi have amassed a fortune through playing contracts, outside endorsements, and investments. While we have no way of knowing who the better sportsperson is as they play different sports, we can certainly see who has made more out of their playing careers.

Tom Brady's net worth of $250 million trails Lionel Messi's net worth of over $600 million

Tom Brady's net worth is expected to be around $250 million. Some estimates put it even upwards above $300 million. He has made his net worth despite never being the highest-paid quarterback in the league. He always kept his salary low to help create teams that would help him win and become more marketable. Instead, he has relied on using his on-field success to get endorsements that have contributed to his wealth.

Tom Brady has been the face of brands such as Aston Martin and Tag Heuer. He has also invested shrewdly, becoming a shareholder in Under Armor when he became their brand ambassador. His own TB12 brand also contributes to his net worth. He also has a 10-year, $375 million broadcasting contract from FOX to look forward to upon retiring.

Lionel Messi, on the other hand, has made most of his money from contracts on the field. His current net worth is expected to be above $600 million. He is currently the highest paid athlete in the world with reported annual earnings of $35 million with Paris St. Germain. He made a whopping $75 million last year just from his playing contracts, including signing bonuses. He also has endorsements off the field with brands like Pepsi, Adidas and Budweiser and became the face of Hard Rock International as its first-ever athlete ambassador.

Messi has owned the hotel chain MiM Hotels since 2017. It is operated by the Majestic Hotel Group and has resorts in Ibiza, Majorca, Barcelona and the Aran Valley. His on-field and off-field earnings total above $1 billion, putting him in an exclusive club with LeBron James, Tiger Woods, Roger Federer and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Both Tom Brady and Lionel Messi have made their net worth with a combination of player earnings, endorsements and shrewd investments. But the NFL quarterback is nowhere close to the soccer star's net worth. Two reasons jump out to explain the disparity.

Firstly, soccer is more of a global sport than football is, allowing Messi to leverage his popularity at a much broader scale. Secondly, unlike the NFL, there is no salary cap in soccer, which allows him to earn much more than Brady. Due to these reasons, despite being 10 years younger than Tom Brady, Lionel Messi has far surpassed him.