Argentine football star Lionel Messi, 38, has crossed the USD 1 billion net worth mark according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, joining his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo — who reached the milestone in 2023 — in an elite group of billionaire sportspeople. Bloomberg estimates Messi has earned over USD 700 million in salaries and bonuses since his 2007 professional debut, with the remainder of his fortune built through sponsorships, real estate, a restaurant chain stake, and an equity option in Inter Miami (his MLS club, part-owned by David Beckham), whose valuation has grown to roughly USD 1.45 billion. The achievement is notable for reflecting a broader shift in elite sport, where Messi's wealth has been built largely through on-field earnings and targeted investments rather than the aggressive global marketing deals that have traditionally driven such fortunes.