In the U.S. sports landscape, two names dominate the conversation—even though they belong to completely different worlds: Lionel Messi and Shohei Ohtani. One is a global football legend finishing the final chapters of his career with Inter Miami; the other, a Japanese phenomenon rewriting baseball history with the Los Angeles Dodgers. But beyond their athletic brilliance, both are financial powerhouses redefining what it means to be a global superstar.

Who earns more: Messi or Ohtani?

At first glance, Ohtani’s contract seems untouchable. In 2024, the Dodgers’ two-way superstar signed the largest deal in U.S. sports history—a staggering $700 million over 10 years. However, most of that sum is deferred, meaning he’ll only earn $2 million per year during his active playing career, while the bulk will be paid after retirement.

Messi, by contrast, earns a smaller base salary—around $12 million annually with Inter Miami—but his overall earnings skyrocket thanks to bonuses, sponsorships, and profit-sharing deals. Estimates place his total income between $50 and $60 million per year, which could climb to $150 million over his first two and a half MLS seasons.

His agreement includes unique perks: a revenue-sharing deal with Apple’s MLS Season Pass, a long-term Adidas partnership, and even an ownership option in Inter Miami—making it one of the most strategic and forward-thinking contracts in modern sports.

Two careers at opposite stages

Lionel Messi has nothing left to prove. With 672 goals in 778 games for FC Barcelona, eight LaLiga scoring titles, four Champions League trophies, and the 2022 World Cup, his legacy is unshakable. At 38, his MLS tenure is less about competition and more about expanding his brand—sparking a football boom in North America.

Shohei Ohtani, meanwhile, is in his prime. At 30, he’s already a three-time MVP (2021, 2023, 2024), five-time All-Star, and 2024 World Series champion with the Dodgers. His rare ability to dominate as both a pitcher and hitter has made him a once-in-a-century talent, blending power, precision, and charisma in a way baseball has never seen.

Marketing kings on and off the field

Both Messi and Ohtani are global marketing machines.

Messi earns more than $25 million annually from endorsements, representing brands like Adidas, Apple, Gatorade, and Lay’s. His image—marked by humility, consistency, and excellence—keeps him among the world’s most valuable athletes.

Ohtani, on the other hand, is a commercial titan across Asia. His endorsements with major brands in fashion, watches, and sportswear make him one of the most marketable athletes in Japan’s history, with every public appearance drawing massive media attention in both the U.S. and Japan.

Two paths, one shared legacy

Messi is the eternal icon who redefined modern football. Ohtani is the new global phenomenon rewriting baseball’s future. One earns more today; the other will cash in for decades to come. Yet both share something far greater than money—the status of being cultural and economic symbols of global sport.

On the field or beyond it, Lionel Messi and Shohei Ohtani prove that true greatness transcends disciplines—and that their names will echo far beyond their respective arenas.