Lionel Messi’s Private Jet: details, price and breakdown

The Argentinian maestro's most significant private aviation acquisition, and arguably his most expensive personal jet, was the impressive Embraer Legacy 650. 

This aircraft is a bespoke, long-range office and family sanctuary, perfectly blending great engineering with the Argentine legend’s need for discretion and comfort.

Read Lionel Messi's Net Worth

The Embraer Legacy 650 sits comfortably in the large cabin, long-range category of business jets. While market prices fluctuate based on manufacturing year and customisation, a brand-new Legacy 650 was originally valued in the range of $25.9 million to $35 million. This price bracket confirms its status as the most costly jet historically associated with the legendary footballer.

Beyond the initial acquisition, the operational economics of the Lionel Messi private jet are substantial. The annual fixed costs for an aircraft of this size, covering crew salaries, insurance, and hangarage, can easily surpass $800,000. 

Furthermore, the variable operating costs, including fuel and engine maintenance, are estimated to be around $5,000 to $7,800 per flight hour, a cost the star is able to absorb with ease, sometimes even offset by chartering the jet to trusted parties when he is not using it.

Pulse Sports ranked Lionel Messi’s private jet as #2 on the list of top 10 footballers who own the most expensive private jets in 2025.

The Legacy 650 is an extended-range derivative of the successful Legacy 600, built on a proven airframe adapted from the Embraer ERJ 135 regional airliner. Its performance specs are a key reason for its appeal to global icons:

The jet boasts an impressive maximum range of 3,900 nautical miles (7,223 km). This transcontinental capability means it can effortlessly handle long-haul flights, such as non-stop journeys between South America and Europe, or from Miami to destinations across the globe, without the inconvenience of refuelling stops.

It is powered by two robust Rolls-Royce AE 3007A2 turbofan engines, which deliver reliable performance and a maximum cruise speed of approximately 528 mph (850 km/h). This blend of range and speed ensures Messi arrives at his destination relaxed and ready to perform.

The most distinguishing feature of the Embraer Legacy 650 is its generous cabin space, which is typically divided into three distinct zones. At nearly 50 feet long, the cabin’s architecture is designed to accommodate different activities simultaneously, offering an invaluable advantage over smaller jets:

Seating and Sleeping: The aircraft is commonly configured to comfortably seat 13 to 14 passengers, but its capacity stretches to up to 19. The layout includes plush leather club seating and large divans that can be converted into full lie-flat beds, an essential feature for an elite athlete needing maximum rest and recovery during overnight or long-distance flights.

Executive Amenities: Each of the three cabin zones can serve a separate function, including an office area for meetings, a dining space, and a relaxation lounge. The plane is equipped with a large galley for preparing full meals, a sophisticated entertainment system, and high-speed satellite Wi-Fi, ensuring constant connectivity for family and business needs.

The Personal Touch: Like all of Messi’s key possessions, the Legacy 650 was customised with sentimental details. Although it may have been the platform for the subsequent, more famous personal touches on his later jets, the Embraer Legacy 650 set the standard for the footballer’s private luxury, focusing on spaciousness and functional elegance.

The Embraer Legacy 650 served as a cornerstone of Lionel Messi's luxury travel strategy, providing him with a private, powerful, and highly comfortable platform to manage his extraordinary career and family life across the world.