Lionel Messi To Visit India After 14 Years - Is The GOAT A Billionaire? Check His Net Worth

Football’s greatest icon is returning to India after 14 years — and Kolkata is gearing up for the biggest sporting frenzy of the decade. Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Argentina’s 2022 World Cup hero, will land in the City of Joy on December 13, 2025, marking the start of his four-city GOAT India Tour 2025.The atmosphere is electric, with a star-studded line-up expected to welcome him, including Shah Rukh Khan, Sourav Ganguly, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Messi will spend three days across Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, blending football spectacle with cultural celebrations, concerts, clinics, and mega fan events.A Historic Return to Salt Lake StadiumMessi’s Kolkata leg is especially emotional

— it brings him back to Salt Lake Stadium, where he made his debut as Argentina captain in a 2011 friendly against Venezuela. This time, he will headline the GOAT Cup and a massive live concert. Ticket prices range from Rs 3,500 to Rs 4,366, with full houses expected.Messi’s Net Worth in December 2025: $850 MillionAt 38, Lionel Messi is not just adding to football’s history books — he is building a global business empire. As of December 2025, his net worth stands at an estimated $850 million (around Rs 71,000 crore), marking a $200 million jump from last year.How Messi Earns His Millions: BreakdownInter Miami Salary

• $60 million annually
• Includes a $50M base salary, bonuses, and a potential 5–10% equity stake that could be worth $60–120 million once fully vested

Endorsements

• $70 million annually
• Lifetime deal with Adidas (worth over $1B), plus partnerships with Apple, Pepsi, Mastercard, Konami

Real Estate Portfolio

• Estimated value: $50–60 million
• Includes luxury homes in Barcelona, Miami, Andorra, and London

Business Ventures

• Estimated value: $150–200 million
• Messi Store, apparel lines, investments, and his philanthropic Messi Foundation

Career Earnings

• $1.6 billion+ to date
• Roughly $900M from salary + $700M from endorsements
• Ranked #2 among the world’s highest-paid footballers in 2025 with $130M in annual earnings

While Messi hasn’t officially crossed the billionaire mark yet, he is rapidly closing in — with his Inter Miami stake and lifetime deals expected to push him past the milestone soon.Messi’s Packed Kolkata Schedule — December 13

• 1:30 AM: Arrival from Miami
• 9:30–10:30 AM: Sponsor meet-and-greet
• 11:00 AM: Unveiling of a 70-foot Messi statue at Sree Bhumi Sporting Club — set to enter the Guinness World Records
• Afternoon: Meetings with Sourav Ganguly, CM Mamata Banerjee, Leander Paes; possible traditional Bengali clothing tribute
• Evening: GOAT Cup — Mohun Bagan Messi All-Stars vs East Bengal Messi All-Stars + GOAT Concert
• 2:00 PM: Departure for Hyderabad

The Tour Continues

• Hyderabad (Dec 13 evening): Football clinic at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium
• Mumbai (Dec 14): Exhibition event at Wankhede Stadium
• New Delhi (Dec 15): Meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Arun Jaitley Stadium

Close friends and teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul will join select events. Tour organisers say Messi is “honoured to inspire India’s next generation of footballers,” echoing his earlier remarks that India is “a passionate football nation.”A Nation Awaits the GOATAs Lionel Messi touches down in India for the first time since 2011, excitement is reaching fever pitch. From statue unveilings to blockbuster matches and celebrity appearances, the GOAT Tour 2025 is shaping up to be more than a sporting spectacle — it’s a celebration of global legacy, fandom, and football culture.With tickets selling out fast, fans across India are preparing for an unforgettable three days of Messi magic.