Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has achieved billionaire status, following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo who reached the milestone in June.
According to Forbes, Messi has amassed $1 billion in pre-tax earnings throughout his career, solidifying his position as the highest-earning player in 2020
The magazine reports that Messi is projected to earn an impressive $126 million, comprising a $92 million salary and $34 million in endorsements.
Messi has endorsement deals with renowned brands such as Adidas, Pepsi, Budweiser, and AI-vision company OrCam Technologies.
Ronaldo holds the second spot on Forbes’ list, with the Juventus forward expected to earn $117 million. As the most popular athlete globally, the Portuguese striker has partnerships with Nike, Herbalife, and other major companies.
Coming in third is Paris Saint-Germain winger Neymar, with projected earnings of $96 million. The Brazilian recently switched to Puma after his contract with Nike expired.
Check out Forbes’ top 10 highest-paid players in 2020.
