According to Diario AS, L. Messi's farewell match for Argentina against Benin in Buenos Aires on October 6, local time, saw tickets sell out in just 90 minutes. The impact of this farewell extended far beyond the stadium, triggering a surge in brand endorsements, merchandise sales, and commercial activities. Multiple sports marketing experts believe that the end of L. Messi's international career will not diminish his commercial value.

L. Messi's international farewell is not only a milestone in sports but also has significant economic implications for numerous global companies.

The impact of L. Messi's international retirement has transcended the football pitch, becoming one of the most economically significant sports events in global history. His final friendly match in the light blue and white jersey was scheduled for October 6, local time, against Benin. Following the announcement, Buenos Aires became the center of unprecedented commercial activity.

The speed at which fans rushed to purchase tickets for the Monumental Stadium reflects the immediate impact of this global phenomenon. Tickets for L. Messi's farewell match were priced as high as 1,600 Brazilian reals (approximately 2,150 yuan) and sold out completely within just 90 minutes, with long queues forming in the online ticketing system. For fans, the opportunity to witness the end of this legendary era firsthand proved invaluable.

Beyond ticket revenue, L. Messi's farewell sparked an extraordinary increase in the sponsorship and commercial partnership market with major companies. Corporations that have worked with L. Messi for years launched special business plans and marketing campaigns centered on this match.

As the official kit supplier, Adidas was the first to launch commemorative jerseys and special-edition shoes adorned with gold accents, designed specifically to honor the career of the number 10.

Meanwhile, the Argentine Football Association, together with major sponsors, organized an official carnival for fans titled "Thank You, Leo" around the stadium. The venue featured giant screens, large-scale performances, and interactive sensory experiences provided by major beverage and technology companies, creating commercial interactions and gathering spaces for the many fans unable to purchase tickets.

The online buzz accompanying this conclusion generated record-breaking statistics on digital platforms, reinforcing L. Messi's position as a leader in global engagement for his personal brand on social media. The official hashtag for the farewell became a trending topic in dozens of countries, generating billions of views within hours.

The question now is how the collaboration between major brands and the Argentine player will evolve going forward.

According to U.S. media reports, since 2007, L. Messi has earned more than 700 million dollars from salary and bonuses. According to billionaire rankings by U.S. media, after taxes and including investment and sponsorship income, L. Messi's net worth now exceeds 1 billion dollars.

This makes him one of the wealthiest athletes in the world, alongside his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese forward became the first footballer to reach a net worth of 1 billion dollars after joining Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr club in 2023.

L. Messi also has the second-most-followed personal account on Instagram globally, with 516 million followers, behind Cristiano Ronaldo with 679 million followers. According to U.S. media reports, sponsored posts on the platform are a significant income source: L. Messi is estimated to earn approximately 2.7 million dollars for each promotional post to his more than 500 million followers.

In terms of commercial partnerships, L. Messi has at least 11 major endorsement deals, including a lifetime contract with Adidas worth 25 million dollars per year. Another major partnership comes from Apple, which has exclusive MLS broadcasting rights. A complete list of partnerships can be found at the end of the article.

Sports management and marketing experts believe that the end of L. Messi's international career does not mean his income will decline.

Fabio Wolff, managing partner of Wolff Sports and a sports marketing expert with extensive experience in developing commercial collaborations between brands and professional athletes, analyzes:

"Leaving the Argentina national team does not mean L. Messi will disappear from the commercial stage. Major personal contracts are likely to continue because brands are not signing with a player from the Argentina national team alone, but with one of the greatest icons in football history. Now, the commercial narrative will shift from achievements and championships to legacy, lasting influence, and global appeal. L. Messi will no longer be merely an active player for Argentina but will transform into a timeless brand that is expected to maintain his commercial value at a very high level for years to come."

Ticiane Simão, CEO and co-founder of AdSports, a digital platform connecting sports organizations, events, and potential sponsor brands, explains:

"L. Messi has become a global brand that transcends the pitch and various stages of his career. He has reached legendary status comparable to Michael Jordan and Serena Williams, who continue to wield enormous commercial influence after retirement. His lifetime contract with Adidas and his presence with Inter Miami in the growing U.S. market reflect his legendary status and shift the commercial narrative from selection to the Argentina national team to celebrating his career. This transition presents opportunities for brands to connect with his iconic career legacy while allowing new sponsors to invest in rising young players."

Wagner Reltke, head of business development at End to End, a company managing operations for dozens of major clubs with the goal of connecting fans, brands, and sports organizations, notes:

"Retiring from the national team should not cause L. Messi to suffer commercial losses. His image has been firmly established well above that of active players and has evolved to a higher level as a global symbol. In fact, this may create new opportunities as a more flexible schedule would allow him to participate in more brand events, advertising campaigns, and other projects. This trend could strengthen further when he retires from professional club football as well, transforming his sporting achievements into long-term commercial assets."

L. Messi's Major Commercial Partnerships

Adidas: 25 million dollars per year

The German brand is L. Messi's longest and most significant partner, with the collaboration beginning in 2006 and a lifetime contract signed in 2017. Beyond fixed income, L. Messi receives royalties and commissions from product sales launched under his name. This revenue increased further after he joined Inter Miami, which also wears Adidas kits.

Apple (Apple TV): 50 million dollars per year

While this is technically and commercially structured, it played a crucial role in L. Messi's move to play in the United States. L. Messi receives a share of revenue generated from new subscriptions to the MLS Season Pass on the streaming platform.

PepsiCo (Pepsi, Gatorade, Lay's): Several million dollars per year

The overall collaboration with various brands is estimated to bring millions of dollars annually to L. Messi, though exact figures have not been publicly disclosed. L. Messi has starred in several major global advertising campaigns for this group.

AB InBev (Budweiser, Michelob Ultra): Exact amount undisclosed

L. Messi is one of the most prominent marketing representatives for Michelob Ultra.

Mastercard: Multi-year partnership agreement

This collaboration makes L. Messi one of the brand's global ambassadors.

Bitget: 6.7 million dollars per year

L. Messi signed with this cryptocurrency asset platform to promote their trading platform.

Socios.com: 20 million dollars

This is the total value of a 3-year contract that L. Messi signed while at Paris Saint-Germain. The partnership continues through fan engagement and fan token-related agreements.

Louis Vuitton: 1.7 million dollars per year

As a brand ambassador, L. Messi participates in iconic advertising campaigns for the French brand's men's clothing and travel collections.

Hard Rock International: Long-term commercial partnership

The partnership includes restaurants, hotels, and licensed products such as the "Messi Burger."

PUBG Mobile / Epic Games: Contract amount confidential

The partnership focuses on licensing L. Messi's likeness and launching in-game events and character skins.

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