Lionel Messi has always been known for his brilliance on the pitch, but also for the way he carries himself off it. Winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina national football team elevated his legacy even further, especially because the World Cup trophy had long been the missing piece in his glittering career. Yet, his gesture toward Argentina’s staff members may have enhanced his reputation even more.

Former Argentina fitness coach Gerardo Salorio revealed during an interview on the Argentine radio show “MP910” from Radio La Red that the current Inter Miami CF forward shared the bonus he received from the World Cup equally among all the workers at Argentina’s training complex in Ezeiza, home of the reigning world champions.

“He divided it equally among everyone at the facility — the cleaning staff, the cooks, every single worker,” Salorio said.

A MASSIVE SUM OF MONEY

The recognition Messi gave those behind-the-scenes workers was so significant that, according to Salorio, the amount each person received nearly covered the cost of buying an apartment in Argentina.

“If it wasn’t enough to buy an apartment, it was very close,” he explained.

The average price of an apartment in Buenos Aires Province is reportedly around $129,000 USD, underscoring just how generous Messi’s contribution was.

Salorio also disclosed that this was not the first time Messi or other Argentina players had rewarded employees at the Ezeiza training center, although he chose not to go into further detail.

“Leo has done even more things… people just don’t know about them.”

Argentina has been the most successful national team in recent years, winning back-to-back editions of the Copa América and lifting the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions title as well.

According to reports, FIFA awarded Argentina approximately $48.7 million USD for winning its third World Cup title in the Middle East, while CONMEBOL reportedly added more than $11.6 million USD in prize money for the historic achievement.

MESSI HUNGRY FOR MORE TITLES

Messi is expected to compete in his sixth FIFA World Cup in 2026, where he will attempt to defend Argentina’s crown under head coach Lionel Scaloni. Argentina has been drawn into Group J, where it is scheduled to face Algeria in Kansas City, Missouri, and Austria and Jordan in Dallas, Texas.

The upcoming World Cup, set to take place across Mexico, Canada, and the United States, will reportedly award the champions a historic $50 million USD prize.

Before beginning its World Cup campaign, Argentina is scheduled to play two friendlies: against Honduras national football team on June 6 in Texas and against Iceland national football team on June 9 in Alabama.

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