Michael Jordan is widely recognized as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. With his six championship rings and immense popularity, it’s no surprise that he has accumulated a substantial amount of wealth. But the billionaire’s status as the richest athlete in the world is currently under threat.

While Jordan’s legendary career contributed to his financial success, it was his endorsement deals that catapulted him to become the richest athlete in the world. The NBA legend has a staggering net worth of approximately $1.7 billion. While this is a big number, it can be surpassed by Miami’s new soccer star Lionel Messi, whose net worth is of $600 million.

Lionel Messi can surpass Michael Jordan in riches

When it comes to endorsement deals, Messi has a wide range of lucrative contracts with renowned brands such as Lay’s, Pepsi, Adidas, Fanatics, Gatorade, Budweiser, MasterCard, and Hard Rock Cafe. These partnerships contribute to Messi’s staggering annual revenue of over $50 million.

Of particular note is Messi’s lifetime deal with Adidas, which brings in $25 million annually. Additionally, his clothing brand, The Messi Store, founded in 2019, generates $5 million in annual revenue. Furthermore, Messi’s soccer jersey sales alone surpass $100 million per year, showcasing his immense commercial appeal.

In 2022, Messi also inked a $20 million per year deal with Socios, a crypto fan token company, further bolstering his financial portfolio. Moreover, Messi’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to launch Play Time HoldCo, a $75 million venture capital fund. This venture fund plans to invest in companies that combine soccer with technology, further enhancing his potential to surpass Jordan’s net worth.

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Messi has also made extensive investments in the real estate sector. He possesses personal homes in Rosaria, six distinctive homes in Italy, and a $45 million house in Barcelona. He also owns an exquisite apartment nestled within the prestigious Porsche Design Tower in Miami. Apart from residential properties, he possesses a splendid Ski resort situated in Andorra, hotels located in Ibiza and Mallorca, and a four-star hotel in Sitges. If all this wasn’t enough, let’s also take a look at his contract with Inter Miami which has shaken the soccer world.

Lionel Messi’s contract with Inter Miami

Lionel Messi’s contract with Inter Miami is truly remarkable. Under the terms of the agreement, Messi will receive an annual salary of approximately $55 million, making him the highest-paid player in MLS. In addition to this substantial income, he has secured profit-sharing agreements with major sponsors Apple, Adidas, and Fanatics.

These agreements entitle Messi to a portion of the profits generated by his association with these brands. To further enhance his deal, Messi also holds a stake in Inter Miami. All this included this deal could potentially be valued at over $1 billion in the future according to reports.

Seeing all this, the potential to surpass Jordan’s net worth is possible. It is important to note that while Jordan’s net worth is currently significantly higher than Messi’s, the rapid growth of the latter’s revenue streams could soon bridge the gap.

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Do you think Lionel Messi can surpass Michael Jordan? Let us know in the comments.