A world that worships Messi.

Lionel Messi is not only an icon of the Argentine national team, but also one of the world's biggest commercial stars. However, the man behind that fame remains a mystery.

ZNews•03/07/2026

Messi has become an icon for the Argentine national team in particular, and the world of football in general.

Few players receive such absolute admiration from teammates of all ages while still playing at the highest level as Lionel Messi . He remains the centerpiece of the Argentina national team, a team that many players consider one of the greatest milestones of their careers to have played alongside him, according to The Telegraph .

Quiet off the pitch

Messi's 39th birthday last week was a clear example. The entire Argentina team wore T-shirts with pictures of themselves with Messi to celebrate his birthday at their training camp in Kansas City. From 21-year-old young defender Valentin Barco to veteran center-back Nicolas Otamendi, everyone was eager to see their captain arrive.

In an era dominated by veterans like Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah , and rising superstars like Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, Messi still manages to stand out.

He is the most decorated player in football history and, even at nearly 40 years old, can still decide matches. Many of his teammates understand that later, the first question their children and grandchildren will want to hear will be: "What was it like playing alongside Messi?"

Argentinian players consider playing alongside Messi to be one of the greatest milestones of their careers.

Argentinian fans also have countless ways to show their love for the number 10, from giant flags and drums to portraits displayed in the stands whenever the team plays.

But interestingly, nobody really knows what Messi thinks about all that admiration.

Commercial empire

Messi has two years left on his contract with Inter Miami in the MLS. However, his influence extends far beyond the football pitch. Unlike legends such as Pele, Diego Maradona, or Muhammad Ali – who frequently spoke to the press and gave countless memorable interviews – Messi almost exclusively appears in carefully planned advertising campaigns.

He has consistently appeared in promotional videos for Mastercard, Lego, Beats, Stanley, Lay's, and a host of other international brands. The content of these advertisements mainly revolves around the image of a calm, friendly, and inspiring Messi.

Messi's list of commercial partners is very long, including adidas, Duracell, Konami, Google ChatGPT, Mastercard, Beats, Lego, Lay's, Hard Rock Cafe, Marvel Entertainment, and many other brands.

Fans express their love for Messi in many different ways.

Earlier this year, Messi also had a visit to India, attending many events as a special guest instead of playing football. According to Forbes , Messi has become a billionaire. His family – including his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and three children – has also appeared in several adidas advertising campaigns. Messi's income is projected to remain very high even after retirement.

Behind Messi's success is the crucial role of his father, Jorge Messi, who was by his side from the very beginning, bringing his son to Barcelona and negotiating the contract that helped the club cover the cost of growth hormone treatment for young Messi.

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Over the course of more than two decades, Messi has become one of the most successful athletes, both professionally and commercially.

However, what truly sets him apart is his performance on the pitch. Every move, every goal continues to impress fans, teammates, and opponents alike.

Perhaps the only thing the public still doesn't fully understand is the man behind the Lionel Messi brand. As his playing career draws to a close, the world awaits the end of this legend, while Messi himself maintains his characteristic reticence.

Source: https://znews.vn/mot-the-gioi-sung-bai-messi-post1665859.html