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Lionel Messi has been the biggest sensation in the United States since his signing with Inter Miami. From securing the title of America’s highest-paid athlete to enjoying collective fame with the Herons, the Argentine superstar has come a long way. But in a surprising turn of events, the GOAT of the beautiful game has been outclassed by a horse from America!

Over the years, numerous athletes have occasionally outshone La Pulga both on and off the pitch. But you would be surprised to know that now an animal has overshadowed the World Cup winner.

Lionel Messi gets overshadowed by a horse!

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Without a shadow of a doubt, racehorses reign supreme as the most valuable farm animals ever to grace the trading arena. The equine market sees transactions amounting to thousands of dollars each year. At the pinnacle of this lucrative market stands the racehorse, a creature that gave his owners rich victories and profits.

Meet Fusaichi Pegasus, a horse whose genetics have the potential to turn anyone into a millionaire. This magnificent equine set an unbeaten price record in the year 2000, a feat that remains unbroken to this day. It is the most expensive horse that is currently valued at $72 million. To make you understand this staggering figure in perspective, consider that he surpasses the worth of Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi.

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As per CompreRural, he was sold for this amount at an auction to Coolmore Stud, in Ireland. This price came after he won the most expensive race, the 2000 Kentucky Derby. Fusaichi’s $72 million worth easily overtakes Messi’s $54 million salary at Inter Miami. Indeed, it’s quite astonishing to contemplate.

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Notably, his name was kept after his owner, Fusao Sekiguchi. It combines ‘Fusao’ with the Japanese word ‘ichi,’ symbolizing the best or number one. The latter part of his name was inspired by the winged horse from Greek mythology. Despite his remarkable record-breaking achievements, Fusaichi Pegasus faced an unfortunate tragedy just three months ago.

A tragic turn of fate in Fusaichi Pegasus’ life

Fusaichi Pegasus left an indelible mark on the world of horse racing, setting numerous records and elevating the standards of competition. Out of the nine races he participated in, he emerged victorious in six, amassing substantial earnings for his owners. Unfortunately, his competitive career came to an end in 2020, as his performance no longer matched the high expectations set by his breed. Tragically, just three months ago, on May 23, 2023, Fusaichi passed away at the age of 26, due to the effects of old age.

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However, it’s worth noting that he retains the reputation of being the most expensive living being in history. Interestingly, today, his legacy stands in the form of a statue at the Northern Horse Park on Hokkaido Island, Japan. While it is undoubtedly somber that he is no longer with us, the stories of his remarkable feats show he etched his name in the annals of horse racing history.