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PARIS – Lionel Messi had to stay in Barcelona, but the Argentine legend managed to join a new club this year, the one reserved for sports billionaires, according to Forbes magazine.
The Argentine forward’s career earnings of more than $ 1 billion place the six-time Ballon d’Or winner in a group of mega-wealthy sports figures including just Tiger Woods, Floyd Mayweather and his great rival on the field, Cristiano Ronaldo. .
Forbes said that in 2020, Messi was the highest paid footballer in the world with an income of $ 126 million from his salary from Barca and $ 34 million from sponsors and other sources.
LEE: Messi, the highest paid athlete in the world
The 33-year-old knocked Juventus forward Ronaldo ($ 117 million) off the top of the soccer salary table with Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar ($ 96 million) in third place.
Forbes’ top 10 earning players collectively earned $ 570 million this season, an 11 percent increase despite disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic in European leagues and the global economy.
Michael Jordan is also in the billionaires’ club, but the basketball legend’s fortune has come largely after his retirement through his long-standing contract with Nike and the acquisition of the NBA franchise Charlotte Hornets.
Messi remains at Barcelona this season after admitting defeat in his attempt to leave without triggering his € 700 million release.
