Lionel Messi, one of the most sought-after athletes globally, operates under a remarkably strict rule when it comes to commercial commitments: he will not spend more than 30 minutes on a film set. This firm boundary underscores the immense demand for his time and his staggering earning power, both on and off the pitch.
The unusual stipulation was brought to light by Hollywood star Will Ferrell, who learned about it from fellow actor Steve Carell. Carell recently worked alongside Messi on a World Cup advertisement for Lay’s, part of their ‘No Lay’s No Game’ campaign, which also featured football icons David Beckham, Thierry Henry, and Alexia Putellas.
Speaking on The Dan Patrick Show, Ferrell recounted the anecdote: “I talked to Steve Carell, who has met Messi. I was in the domestic campaign for Lay’s potato chips; Steve was in the foreign campaign. Apparently Messi was in, and Messi has a rule: when he hits the set, you got 30 minutes with Messi, and that’s it. So there was a frenzy of activity to hurry up and get all the shots with Messi; otherwise, he’s out. He’s vamos.”
A tight schedule on set
This 30-minute rule, as reported by GiveMeSport, is a testament to Messi’s tightly managed schedule and his status as a global brand ambassador. He regularly features in high-profile campaigns for major brands such as Adidas, Pepsi, Michelob Ultra, Gatorade, and EA Sports. These partnerships contribute significantly to his overall income.
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His longest-standing commercial relationship is with Adidas, having represented the sportswear giant since 2006. Messi holds a lifetime deal with Adidas, reportedly worth an estimated $25 million annually.
Staggering earnings on and off the pitch
Messi’s commercial ventures are just one facet of his colossal earnings. Forbes reports that his off-pitch earnings alone sit at around $70 million annually. Combined with his football salary, his financial figures reach extraordinary levels.
As the highest earner in Major League Soccer (MLS) by a considerable margin, Messi’s contract with Inter Miami is particularly lucrative. Figures released in October, prior to him signing a fresh three-year extension, showed his base salary at $12 million, with guaranteed compensation reaching $20.4 million. Beyond these figures, Messi also holds an equity stake in Inter Miami, along with various bonuses and clauses built into his deal.
Inter owner Jorge Mas stated in March that Messi earns between $70 million and $80 million a year in total from the club, solidifying his position as one of the world’s highest-paid athletes.
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