NEW YORK: Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has established a historic milestone by becoming the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history.
Competing in his record-breaking sixth World Cup tournament, Messi netted his 17th tournament goal to surpass the previous record held by German striker Miroslav Klose, who scored 16 goals during his World Cup career.
In a spectacular continuation of his form, Messi also scored a clinical hat-trick in his previous match.
This historic milestone follows his legendary campaign in the last World Cup, where he successfully guided Argentina to global glory in a thrilling final victory over France.
Alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi remains one of football’s ultimate global icons, with both players having amassed immense wealth and earned enduring legacies in the hearts of sports fans worldwide.
Lionel Messi has officially crossed the billionaire threshold, with his net worth estimated at $1.1 billion driven by over $1.8 billion in career earnings.
His financial empire is a mix of massive liquid bank balances, a global real estate portfolio, and elite luxury assets.
On the pitch, his groundbreaking Inter Miami contract guarantees him around $70–$80 million annually, supplemented by revenue-sharing stakes from Apple and MLS.
Off the pitch, he commands $75 million a year through lifelong partnerships with Adidas, alongside major deals with Pepsi, Mastercard, and his own lifestyle ventures like Mas+ by Messi and the MiM Hotels chain.
Messi’s real estate portfolio is valued at over $300 million. His primary residence is a sprawling $10.8 million waterfront mansion in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
He also owns multi-million dollar luxury penthouses in Miami’s Porsche Design Tower and Regalia Tower, a massive family estate in Rosario, Argentina, and a panoramic Mediterranean villa in Castelldefels, Barcelona.
Among his most valuable possessions is a custom $15 million Gulfstream V private jet.
His garage holds an elite car collection, including a rare Pagani Zonda Tricolore valued at $2 million and a Ferrari F430 Spider.
Additionally, his ultra-luxury watch collection includes bespoke timepieces from Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and a rare Richard Mille valued at over $1.2 million.
