Smart Investing 101: Lessons from Lionel Messi's Savvy Investments

In the high-stakes world of professional sports, athletes often earn fortunes that most people can only dream about. Yet, the harsh reality is that careers are short, injuries can strike without warning, and the spotlight fades quickly after retirement. This is where smart investing comes into play. Athletes who pour their resources into businesses not only secure their financial futures but also create lasting legacies that extend far beyond the field. Diversifying income streams helps mitigate risks, builds generational wealth, and allows stars to leverage their fame for entrepreneurial success. 

Take basketball legends like Michael Jordan with his Air Jordan brand or LeBron James with his media empire; these moves have turned them into billionaires. Football players are no exception, and few embody this strategy better than Lionel Messi. As one of the greatest athletes of all time, Messi has quietly built a sprawling business portfolio that showcases the power of strategic investments. In this post, we will explore why athletes should follow suit, with a deep dive into Messi's ventures and how they reflect his forward-thinking approach.

Lionel Messi, the Argentine football icon, has captivated the world with his unmatched skills on the pitch. From leading Barcelona to multiple Champions League titles to captaining Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, his career earnings have soared into the hundreds of millions. But Messi is not just a player; he is a shrewd businessman who understands the fragility of athletic fame. Now in his late thirties and playing for Inter Miami in the MLS, Messi has shifted focus toward post-retirement stability. His net worth hovers around 850 million dollars as of early 2026, much of it fueled by off-field endeavors.

This is crucial for athletes because sports income can dry up overnight. By investing in businesses, they can generate passive revenue, create jobs, and even give back to communities. Messi's story illustrates how fame can open doors to lucrative opportunities, turning a sports career into a multifaceted empire.

One of Messi's flagship investments is in real estate, a sector that offers stability and long-term growth. His portfolio is valued at approximately 232 million dollars, encompassing luxury properties across Europe and the Americas.

Real estate is a smart choice for athletes because it provides tangible assets that appreciate over time, unlike volatile stock markets. Messi has used his earnings to acquire high-end residences and commercial spaces, ensuring a steady stream of rental income. This move not only diversifies his wealth but also positions him as a property mogul. For other athletes, dipping into real estate can serve as a hedge against economic downturns, offering both financial security and a way to build equity without constant involvement.

A standout in Messi's real estate ventures is MiM Hotels, which he launched in 2017 in partnership with the Majestic Hotel Group.

This chain specializes in upscale accommodations, blending beachside luxury with mountain retreats. Properties are scattered across prime locations like Ibiza, Mallorca, Sitges, Baqueira, and Andorra, with recent expansions into other European spots announced in 2024. MiM Hotels cater to affluent travelers seeking stylish stays, and the brand has grown steadily, capitalizing on Messi's global appeal to attract guests. Owning hotels allows Messi to tap into the booming tourism industry, which generates consistent revenue through bookings and events. For athletes, hospitality investments like this are ideal because they align with personal branding; Messi's image of excellence translates seamlessly to premium service. This venture alone demonstrates how athletes can use their influence to enter competitive markets and thrive.

Beyond real estate, Messi has ventured into retail with The Messi Store, which opened its doors in Barcelona in September 2019.

This lifestyle brand sells sportswear, casual clothing, and accessories inspired by his career and personal style. Available both in-store and online worldwide, it has become a go-to for fans wanting to emulate the star's look. The store's success lies in its authenticity; products feature subtle nods to Messi's achievements, like World Cup motifs or his signature number 10. Retail is a natural fit for athletes with massive followings, as it turns fandom into profit. Messi's approach here is unique because he focuses on quality over quantity, partnering with designers to create timeless pieces rather than cheap merchandise. This investment highlights the importance of branding for athletes, who can monetize their personas long after their playing days end.

In a more recent move, Messi entered the beverage market with Más+ by Messi, launched in June 2024 in South Florida.

This hydration and energy drink comes in various flavors, targeting health-conscious consumers and athletes. Sold in Miami stores and online across the United States, it has quickly gained traction thanks to Messi's endorsement and focus on natural ingredients. The brand's name, meaning "more" in Spanish, reflects his philosophy of pushing limits. For athletes investing in consumer goods, beverages offer high margins and scalability, especially with celebrity backing. Messi's entry into this space is timely, riding the wave of wellness trends post-pandemic. It shows how athletes can align investments with their lifestyles; as a fitness icon, Messi lends credibility to a product that promotes performance and recovery.

Messi has also diversified into media with the 525 Rosario Media Company, established in 2022 in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina.

This firm produces family-oriented shows, sports documentaries, and digital series, partnering with Hollywood studios and local producers. It aims to tell inspiring stories, often drawing from Messi's own journey. Media investments are increasingly popular among athletes because they control narratives and create content empires. Think of it as Messi's version of LeBron's SpringHill Company. By owning production capabilities, he ensures creative freedom and revenue from streaming deals. This venture underscores the value of storytelling for athletes, who have unique experiences to share and monetize.

Food and dining represent another pillar of Messi's portfolio, with his investment in El Club de la Milanesa, confirmed in 2023.

This Argentine restaurant chain specializes in milanesa dishes and boasts over 70 locations in Argentina, Uruguay, and the United States. In 2024, it expanded plans to Spain, Italy, Portugal, Chile, and Paraguay, starting from Miami. As a global partner and shareholder, Messi brings star power to a brand rooted in his cultural heritage. Restaurants are appealing investments for athletes because they combine passion for food with business acumen. Messi's involvement here is personal; he has often spoken about his love for Argentine cuisine. This move diversifies his holdings into hospitality's culinary side, creating synergies with his hotels.

Tech and sports innovation round out Messi's investments through Play Time Sports-Tech Investment Firm, founded in 2022 in California.

This firm focuses on startups in sports, media, and technology, including stakes in KRÜ Esports (founded by fellow footballer Sergio Agüero), youth sports programs, and emerging tech companies. Play Time allows Messi to back innovative ideas, from esports teams to AI-driven training tools. For athletes, tech investments offer high-growth potential, especially in a digital age where sports and gaming intersect. Messi's strategy here is forward-looking, positioning him at the forefront of industry evolution.

Finally, Messi's stake in Inter Miami deserves mention. He holds a 10 percent ownership interest, with an option to increase it post-retirement without additional buy-in.

The club, now valued at 1.2 billion dollars, has skyrocketed in worth since his arrival, thanks to record attendance and sponsorships.

This equity deal is a masterstroke, tying his playing career to ownership. Athletes in team sports can learn from this; owning a piece of the franchise ensures ongoing involvement and profits.

Lionel Messi's business acumen teaches valuable lessons for athletes everywhere. By investing wisely, they can avoid the pitfalls that plague many retirees, like financial ruin from poor decisions. Messi's empire, spanning real estate, hospitality, retail, beverages, media, restaurants, tech, and club ownership, proves that diversification is key. He builds with purpose, focusing on family legacy and global impact rather than quick gains. As Messi himself said, money is not his drive, but these ventures ensure his influence endures. Other athletes should take note: the game does not end with the final whistle; it evolves into something even bigger.

Whether you are a rising star or a veteran, start planning your business moves today to score big off the field.

Ronaldo's Quirky Record: The Own Goal That Messi Can't Break

In the endless debate between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, fans pull out every stat imaginable to prove who's the GOAT. Goals, assists, trophies, you name it, they've compared it. But there's one record Ronaldo holds that Messi hasn't touched, and probably never will. It's not about hat-tricks or Ballon d'Ors. It's about own goals.

Yeah, you read that right.

Back in 2013, during a La Liga match against Granada, Ronaldo accidentally headed the ball into his own net while playing for Real Madrid. It was his first and only own goal in a stellar career. That mishap gave him a bizarre claim to fame: he's the only player in history to score against every team in a top European league in a single calendar year, including his own team.

That year, Ronaldo netted goals against all 19 other La Liga sides, and the own goal counted as "scoring" against Real Madrid. No other player has pulled off this full sweep, own goal included.

Messi, on the other hand, has a spotless record when it comes to own goals: zero. Throughout his career at Barcelona, PSG, Inter Miami, and with Argentina, he's never put one past his own keeper. That's impressive in its own way which is avoiding those defensive blunders while focusing on what he does best: dismantling opponents.

But it also means he can't claim to have "scored" against Barcelona, his lifelong club.

Now, what does this mean for the fans? In the heated Ronaldo vs. Messi rivalry, this stat is pure gold for banter. Ronaldo supporters love throwing it out there as a fun "gotcha" moment like "Hey, CR7 even scores against himself, that's dedication!" It highlights Ronaldo's all-around involvement, including defending set pieces, where own goals can happen.

Messi fans, meanwhile, counter that it's not a real achievement; own goals are mistakes, not milestones and point to Messi's cleaner sheet as proof of his efficiency.

At the end of the day, this quirky record shows how deep the rivalry runs. Fans on both sides dig up obscure facts to fuel the fire, turning even a flub like an own goal into a point of pride. Whether you're Team Ronaldo or Team Messi, it's a reminder that these two legends have pushed each other to extremes, creating moments (and stats) we'll talk about forever.

What's your take on the debate? Does this record count, or is it just soccer trivia?

Smart Investing 101: From Pitch to Portfolio: Cristiano Ronaldo's Blueprint for Athlete Wealth Building

In the high-stakes world of professional sports, where careers can flame out as quickly as they ignite, smart investing stands as the ultimate game changer. Athletes pour their prime years into physical excellence, amassing fortunes through salaries, endorsements, and bonuses, but the real winners are those who transform that wealth into lasting empires. Think of it as shifting from sprinting on the field to marathon running in the boardroom. 

Many stars fumble this transition, squandering earnings on fleeting luxuries or ill-advised schemes, but a select few master the art of diversification, risk management, and brand leverage. At the forefront of this elite group is Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese football icon whose net worth hovers around the billion-dollar mark, largely thanks to his shrewd business acumen.

His journey from a scrappy kid in Madeira to a global tycoon offers a masterclass in how athletes can secure their futures beyond the spotlight.

Ronaldo's story begins in humble origins, born in 1985 on the island of Madeira to a family facing financial hardships. Football became his escape and ticket to prosperity, with early stints at Sporting Lisbon leading to a breakthrough move to Manchester United in 2003. There, under Sir Alex Ferguson's guidance, he honed not just his skills but a relentless work ethic that would define his approach to everything, including money. By his mid-20s, as he dazzled at Real Madrid, Ronaldo was already eyeing life after the game. Unlike peers who might splurge on yachts or cars, he started channeling earnings into ventures that aligned with his personal brand: fitness, luxury, and innovation. This foresight paid off; today, at 40, while still lacing up boots for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, his off-field empire generates tens of millions annually, insulating him from the pitfalls that ensnare many retired athletes.

The foundation of Ronaldo's business rise lies in his CR7 brand, a powerhouse that embodies his image as a peak performer and style icon. Launched over a decade ago, CR7 encompasses clothing lines, underwear, fragrances, eyewear, and footwear, all designed with a sleek, athletic aesthetic.

What makes this venture smart? It's not just merchandise; it's an extension of his persona. Ronaldo partners with top designers and manufacturers, ensuring quality that resonates with fans worldwide. Sales figures are staggering, with the brand pulling in over 100 million euros yearly through global retail and online channels. For athletes, the lesson here is clear: build on your fame. Ronaldo didn't invent fashion, but he infused it with his discipline, turning gym-honed abs into a marketing goldmine. Imagine a basketball star like LeBron James doing the same with his own lines, but Ronaldo took it further by integrating tech like app-based styling advice, making CR7 a lifestyle ecosystem rather than a mere label.

Venturing into hospitality marked Ronaldo's next big play, showcasing his knack for partnerships that scale. In 2015, he teamed up with the Pestana Hotel Group, Portugal's largest hospitality chain, to launch Pestana CR7 Hotels.

Starting in his hometown of Funchal, the chain expanded to Lisbon, Madrid, Marrakech, and New York City, with rooms blending modern luxury and sports vibes, like fitness suites equipped with Ronaldo-approved gear. These aren't budget stays; they target affluent millennials and sports enthusiasts, with nightly rates often exceeding 200 euros. Ronaldo's involvement goes beyond naming rights he invests in design and marketing, leveraging his 600 million-plus social media followers to drive bookings. This sector's resilience, even through economic dips, highlights smart investing: hospitality offers steady cash flow via occupancy and events. By 2025, the chain's value has ballooned, contributing significantly to his portfolio. Athletes take note: real estate tied to your brand can yield passive income long after retirement, turning fame into foot traffic.Health and wellness form another pillar of Ronaldo's empire, where he capitalizes on his reputation as a fitness paragon. CR7 Crunch Fitness gyms, rolled out in Portugal and Spain, replicate his training regimens with high-tech equipment and personalized programs.

Members get access to CR7-branded workouts, nutrition plans, and even virtual sessions with trainers. This isn't just a gym chain; it's a community builder, with memberships surging post-pandemic as people emulate his longevity. Then there's Insparya, his hair transplant clinics launched in 2019 in Madrid and expanded to multiple Portuguese locations by 2025.

Drawing from his own image-conscious career, Ronaldo co-owns this venture, which uses cutting-edge tech for hair restoration. Revenue streams from procedures and products make it a high-margin business. Extending this theme, in October 2024, he invested heavily in Bioniq, a London-based company specializing in AI-driven personalized supplements based on blood biomarkers.

His stake pushed the firm's valuation to 82 million dollars, and as a user since 2022, Ronaldo promotes it authentically. This move underscores a key strategy: invest in what you use. For athletes prone to physical wear, wellness ventures offer both financial returns and personal benefits, creating a virtuous cycle.

Ronaldo's foray into technology and innovation reveals a forward-thinking mindset rare among sports stars. In September 2025, he made headlines by investing in Perplexity AI, a San Francisco-based startup challenging ChatGPT with its AI-powered search engine.

The undisclosed sum came amid Perplexity's 20 billion dollar valuation, and Ronaldo secured a global ambassadorship plus a dedicated fan hub on the platform.

Why AI? Ronaldo sees it as the future of information and personalization, aligning with his brand's tech integrations. This isn't his first tech dip; earlier investments include UFL, a football gaming platform in 2023, and FanCraze, an NFT marketplace for cricket collectibles in 2022.

He also backed Draftea, a fantasy sports app, in 2022, tapping into the booming esports market.

These choices reflect diversification: tech offers exponential growth potential, balancing steadier sectors like hospitality. Athletes often overlook tech due to complexity, but Ronaldo's approach partnering with experts and starting small minimizes risks while positioning him for unicorn-level payoffs.

Diversifying further, Ronaldo has dipped into niche industries that blend passion with profit. Take his 2024 acquisition of a 10 percent stake in Vista Alegre, Portugal's storied porcelain and crystal maker, for 17.3 million euros. He also snagged 30 percent of its Spanish arm, aiming to expand luxury tableware into Asia using his global appeal.

This heritage play adds cultural depth to his portfolio, with potential for CR7-branded collections. In mobility, his March 2024 investment in Novus, a German electric motorbike startup, targets the green transport wave.

Valued for its sleek designs, Novus appeals to eco-conscious fans, potentially yielding returns as EV adoption surges.Sports beyond football intrigue Ronaldo too. His padel investments highlight this: in February 2025, he committed 5 million euros to "City of Padel" in Oeiras, Portugal, a massive complex with 17 courts and commercial spaces.

Later, he fully acquired Lisbon Racket Centre for 5.4 million dollars, rebranding it to boost padel's popularity.

As a player himself in Saudi leagues, this venture merges hobby with business, fostering community events and sponsorships. Then, in November 2025, he entered combat sports by investing in WOW FC, a Spanish MMA promotion co-owned with UFC champ Ilia Topuria.

Focused on Middle Eastern expansion, it leverages Ronaldo's Saudi ties for global fights, tapping into MMA's explosive growth.

Entertainment rounds out his eclectic mix. April 2025 saw the launch of UR-Marv Movie Studio in London with director Matthew Vaughn.

This foray into film production could produce sports biopics or action flicks, using Ronaldo's star power for distribution. Earlier, a 2023 stake in Chrono24, a luxury watch marketplace, adds bling to his investments.

What sets Ronaldo apart is his holistic strategy. He diversifies across sectors fashion, real estate, health, tech, sports to hedge against downturns. Partnerships with established players like Pestana or Vaughn reduce solo risks. His brand amplifies everything; with over a billion followers, a single post can spike valuations.

Discipline translates too: just as he tracks fitness metrics, he monitors investments rigorously. For aspiring athlete-investors, Ronaldo's path teaches starting early, aligning ventures with passions, and scaling globally.

In conclusion, Cristiano Ronaldo exemplifies smart investing's transformative power for athletes.

From CR7's grassroots to Perplexity's cutting edge, his empire isn't luck it's calculated evolution. As he nears retirement, his ventures ensure legacy and wealth endure, inspiring the next generation to play the long game.