I just reviewed Messi's wealth evolution since 2016 and it's impressive to see how his fortune has grown over the past decade. It went from around $280 million in 2016 to nearly $900 million projected for this year. The most notable jump was between 2020 and 2021, when his net worth jumped from $400 million to $600 million, probably due to sponsorship deals he closed after his successes in international tournaments.

What catches my attention is that Messi's wealth doesn't come solely from his salary as a footballer, but from a mix of elite contracts, record endorsements, and business ventures in Europe and the United States. Since 2021, the growth has been more stable but consistent, increasing by about $50-100 million approximately every two years.

If $900 million is projected for 2026, he has basically tripled his fortune in a decade. Definitely one of the athletes with the largest accumulated wealth, all driven by his performance on the field and his strategic moves off it.