Messi's Enduring Legacy: Rivalry, Riches, and Resilience

Lionel Messi BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

Lionel Messi has commanded headlines on several fronts over the past few days, continuing to blend sporting brilliance with global celebrity. Most notably, Messi reflected in depth on his famed rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, telling Goal that those years head-to-head, especially in El Clásico, “was always a battle,” and describing it as a “really beautiful time for us and for people who love football.” Messi, who now plies his trade at Inter Miami, reminisced about their joint domination of world football, noting that between 2008 and 2023, they shared an astonishing 13 Ballon d’Or trophies. His reflections on this historic rivalry made the rounds on social media, sparking a wave of nostalgia among fans and pundits alike.

In business news, Forbes recently confirmed Messi’s financial might, reporting that the Inter Miami captain ranks as the world’s fifth-highest paid athlete in 2025, with a staggering $135 million in annual earnings. Notably, $75 million of that sum comes from endorsements and commercial deals, with Messi’s influence still towering off the pitch as much as on it. Only Cristiano Ronaldo surpasses him among soccer players, highlighting how Messi’s marketability endures well after his European peak.

On the pitch, Messi’s impact remains immense. Most recently, he put on a show for Inter Miami in a high-scoring Florida derby against Orlando City, with highlight reels of his performance circulating widely and adding to the buzz around his MLS campaign. As Inter Miami sits fifth in the Eastern Conference, Messi’s leadership remains pivotal as his side pushes for playoff positioning. Meanwhile, Messi garnered further attention when he congratulated Barcelona—his beloved former club—on their 28th La Liga triumph, sending a message via social media that was widely shared by fans and major outlets. With ten of those league titles earned under his stewardship, his continued connection with Barça remains a sentimental anchor for supporters.

Outside the game, Messi’s off-field ventures are also making headlines. His Instagram presence, with over 500 million followers, remains a powerful conduit for brand work, such as a recently released Apple TV ad promoting the new MLS season, which also doubled as the reveal for Inter Miami’s “Euforia” jersey. Anticipation is also building for The Messi Experience, an immersive event set to open in Chicago this summer, promising fans a closer look at his career and legacy.

All told, Messi’s week has been a swirl of competitive ambition, commercial power, personal reflection, and digital influence—reminding the world that his legend is being written in real time, both on American soil and across the global football landscape.

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