GETTING the measure of Lionel Messi is very hard work on the pitch – as many of the world’s top defenders will testify.
Whether leading the goal charge with Argentina in the World Cup final against France or for PSG in Ligue 1, the mercurial forward always leads opponents a right song and dance.
5Lionel Messi is one of the wealthiest players in world footballCredit: Rex
The 35-year old from Rosario always makes it a tall order for even world class teams who struggle to contain him.
And interest in the game is always heightened around the globe when he closes on goal.
How tall is Lionel Messi?
Actually, Messi is on the short side allowing him to make those amazing twists and turns as he sets of on a typical mazy run.
The tale of the tape reveals him to be a shade under 5ft 7ins or, to be precise, 5ft 5.77ins.
And this could explain why he doesn’t score very often with his head.
5Messi with wife Antonella Roccuzzo and their familyCredit: Instagram @antoroccuzzo88
5Another game, another goal for MessiCredit: Reuters
5Cristiano Ronaldo measures up at 6ft 1.62ins.Credit: Reuters
Were efforts ever made to increase his height?
Yes. Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency as a child and was saved by his athletic abilities.
His potential led Barcelona to sign him at just 13 and pay for his growth hormone treatment.
How does Messi’s height compare with other leading football players?
Well, Zlatan Ibahimovic towers above the Argentinian at is 6ft 4.77ins tall, while Messi’s great La Liga rival Cristiano Ronaldo is 6ft 1.62ins.
Brazilian striker Neymar is 5ft 8.89ins as is French hitman Antoine Griezmann.
Neymar’s Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez measures up at just under six foot at 5ft 11.65ins.
5Brazilian hitman Neymar is 5ft 8.89insCredit: Getty Images – Getty
So much for Messi’s height, how high are his earnings? What is his net worth?
Well, Celebrity Net Worth estimates that Messi’s net worth is an astonishing £300 million – more than Ronaldo.
He is the highest paid soccer player on an annual salary of £25.4m or £497,000 a week, with his impressive endorsement deals bringing in the rest.
One of his biggest deals is with Gatorade, who he frequently appears in commercials for – most recently with Suarez in advance of the 2018 World Cup.
But his most lucrative deal is with Adidas, with whom he even has a line of soccer cleats. Having been sponsored by Adidas since the early days of his career, the deal is a yin to the yang of Ronaldo’s Nike deal.
source: thesun.co.uk
