When the Catalans won the 2018/19 La Liga title, it meant that Messi extended his record of being the most decorated player in Barcelona’s history. Forbes’ 2018 ranking of the world’s highest paid athletes had Messi in second place behind Floyd Mayweather, with a salary of $84m per season. These are all definable metrics which act as tools to measure his status as the world’s best. Indeed, many ex-professionals have no issue in anointing the Barca player in that particular argument, whilst tipping a hat in Ronaldo’s direction. It’s no coincidence then to see that the Deloitte Football Money League 2019 has Barca second (only to Real Madrid) in terms of revenue; $690.4m.

Source: Forbes May 27, 2019 15:33 UTC