Messi is the second highest-paid athlete in the world, and the highest paid soccer player, according to Forbes , after boxer Floyd Mayweather and ahead of his rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
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LIONEL MESSI: How the most expensive soccer player in the world spends his millions
Lionel Messi is arguably the greatest soccer player alive, and with that incredible success comes fabulous wealth.
Lionel Messi
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Despite his insane wealth and popularity, he's is one of the most private people in the sport.
He drives a $200,000 car and lives in a nice house, but the rest is a mystery.
He has made $111 million so far in 2018.
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Clive Rose/Getty Images
Source: Forbes
He signed a new contract in 2017 which pays him over $80 million annually.
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Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images
Source: Forbes
He makes an additional $27 million in endorsements.
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Google Play Store
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Source: Forbes
He has signed a lifetime deal with Adidas
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YouTube
Source: CBS Sports
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He also has deals with Gatorade, Mastercard, and Pepsi, among others.
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Photo courtesy of Pepsi
Source: Forbes
Messi is so valuable to Barcelona that if he ever leaves, the club that buys him will have to pay a $835 million buy out.
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Albert Gea / Reuters
Source: The Telegraph
Messi lives in a house in Castelldefels, a mountain village just outside of Barcelona.
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Source: ESPN
He still owns and maintains his childhood home in Argentina, even though no one lives there anymore.
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Source: ESPN
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Messi is still especially close to his mother.
And hes good friends with Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez.
Hes known to take the occasional private plane, like when he went to the Ballon dOr gala in Zurich.
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He married his long-time girlfriend Antonella Rocuzzo in 2017.
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The two grew up in the same town in Argentina, and their families are friends.
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Source: ESPN
They have three children together.
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The kids are now a staple of Barcelona trophy celebrations.
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We get the occasional glimpse into his lavish side, like when he wore a polka-dot suit to an awards ceremony.
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Christof Koepsel/Getty Images
Or when he got a private meeting with the pope, himself a huge soccer fan.
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Or when he agreed to have a gold cast of his foot made and sold to support Japanese tsunami relief (it went for $5 million).
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Source: CNN
He does enjoy a lavish vacation now and again.
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As well as chances to meet world-famous musicians.
And other famous athletes.
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He did make headlines for a less charitable reason however, when he was found guilty of tax fraud and ordered to pay a fine.
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Pool/Getty Images
Source: BBC
But unlike other modern athletes, hes not actively concerned with using his personal life to grow his brand. His Instagram is for the most part totally bland.
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With pictures of Messi relaxing with family, teammates, or his giant dog.
Messis lifestyle is often contrasted with his on-pitch rival Cristiano Ronaldos, who is known for relishing the spotlight.
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REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
Now see how the other half lives.
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Christof Koepsel/Getty Images
How Cristiano Ronaldo Makes And Spends His Money
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