Two legends. Two sports. Two staggering fortunes. In a new clash of numbers, Michael Jordan at 61 and Lionel Messi at 37 are being compared for just how much wealth they’ve amassed at different stages of their careers.
Jordan, widely regarded as the greatest to ever play in the NBA, officially retired for the third and final time on April 16, 2003, at age 40. But retirement was only the beginning of his financial empire. In 2024 alone, he earned between $260 million and $280 million from his 5% royalty deal with Nike on all sales of the iconic Air Jordan brand, according to reports.
Messi, meanwhile, is keeping pace in his own way. Now starring for Inter Miami in MLS, the Argentine superstar earns a guaranteed $20.4 million salary, placing him among the top five highest-paid athletes of 2025, per Forbes. Add in sponsorships with global giants like Adidas, Pepsi, Budweiser, Gatorade, Mastercard, and Apple, and he raked in an additional $75 million in endorsement deals.
Michael Jordan and Lionel Messi’s earnings in 2025
According to Forbes, Lionel Messi earned a total of $135 million between May 1, 2024, and May 1, 2025 — an impressive figure, but still about $165 million less than the popular basketball legend.
Lionel Messi reacts after winning the MLS match in 2025 — Michael Jordan takes part in a ceremony honoring the 2020 NBA All-Star game. (Source: Dustin Satloff/Getty Images — Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
As highlighted by PlayersTV, Michael Jordan brought in roughly $300 million at age 61, driven by his lucrative Nike partnership, the sale of his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets, and long-standing deals with brands like Gatorade and Hanes.
Lionel Messi’s one request for Michael Jordan
Despite the comparisons, Messi’s admiration for MJ goes beyond the numbers. In an interview with ESPN Argentina in June 2024, he revealed a personal wish: “I’d love to have a photo with Jordan. I’d like to meet him and take a picture with him”. Whether these two icons will cross paths remains to be seen. But when it comes to global influence, both remain in a league of their own.
