Lionel Messi Watch Collection

Rubber B crafts custom rubber watch bands for timepieces from a variety of leading global watchmakers, including Rolex, Tudor, Panerai, and several others. The complete product catalog features straps in an array of colors, textures, and styles, each made from 100% vulcanized rubber. Today’s blog post focuses on one of the most recognizable soccer players in the world – Lionel Messi.

Messi is currently the leading goal scorer of all time in La Liga (the primary division of professional Spanish soccer) with 474 goals, has scored the most hat tricks among any player in the league with 36, and also has the most assists with 192, among other records. It would not be unreasonable, in some respects, to compare him to Wayne Gretzky or Tom Brady in terms of his impact on his respective sport.

However, in addition to being a world-renowned soccer player, Messi is also a noted watch collector who has accumulated an interesting and elegant collection of luxury timepieces. We will now spend a few moments taking a closer look at the career and watch collection of this noted soccer legend.

Who is Lionel Messi?

Lionel Messi was born on June 24^th, 1987 in Rosario, Sante Fe, Argentina to Jorge Messi, a steel factory manager, and Celia, who worked in a magnet manufacturing workshop. He is of Italian and Spanish ancestry and is the third of four children. He grew up in a tight-knit family and quickly fell in love with soccer as a child. He has two cousins, Maximiliano and Emanuel Biancucchi, who are also professional soccer players.

As a child, he was identified locally as something of a soccer prodigy, but when he was ten years old, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. Due to Argentina’s economic collapse and other financial factors, he was only able to receive two years’ worth of treatment for the condition.

Early Success As a Young Player

Messi’s family had relatives in Catalonia, Spain, which proved pivotal in securing a tryout with FC Barcelona’s renowned youth academy in September of 2000. Charly Rexach, the team’s director, immediately recognized Messi’s immense talent and was eager to sign the young prodigy. However, the club’s board of directors was initially hesitant, as it was highly unusual to offer contracts to foreign players, especially at such a tender age. On December 14th, with an ultimatum from Messi’s family hanging over the club, Rexach famously drew up a contract on a napkin, solidifying the agreement. Messi subsequently relocated to Spain, where he embarked on a highly successful youth football career, becoming part of a children’s team later dubbed the “Baby Dream Team” of Spanish youth football.

Messi Becomes a Soccer Superstar

Lionel Messi made his official first-team debut for Barcelona on October 16, 2004. On June 24th, 2005, his 18th birthday, he signed his first professional contract as a full senior team player. This contract would keep him in Barcelona until at least 2010, and his buyout clause was listed at 150 million euros. The then 19-year-old Messi quickly established himself as one of the best footballers in the world during the team’s 2006-2007 season. While the team itself faced challenges, Messi consistently delivered fantastic performances week after week, leading to him arguably becoming the most popular footballer in all of Spain.

By the end of the 2010-2011 season, Messi had already secured five La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies, permanently cementing his place not just as one of the best living footballers, but as one of the greatest in the sport’s history, alongside legends like Pelé and Diego Maradona. Messi would spend the remainder of his illustrious Barcelona career until the summer of 2021. FC Barcelona faced significant financial difficulties at that time and, unfortunately, could not afford to pay Messi anywhere near what he was worth.

As a result, in August 2021, he made a high-profile move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). His deal with PSG kept him with the team until June 2023, with an option for an extra year.

Messi’s Transition to Inter Miami

In 2023, Messi made a significant move to Inter Miami, bringing his illustrious career to Major League Soccer (MLS). He continues to perform at a high level; for instance, in the 2024 MLS season, he notably recorded 20 goals and 16 assists in 19 appearances, showcasing his enduring quality despite acknowledging the physical challenges of aging. Messi has consistently stated his intention to continue playing as long as he feels he can contribute meaningfully to his team.

Will Messi Play in the 2026 World Cup?

As Messi turns 37, speculation about his retirement grows. Despite this, he has not ruled out the possibility of playing in the 2026 World Cup. “I don’t think about that yet. The moment I feel that I am not going to help my team, I will retire,” Messi said in March 2024. His commitment to the sport remains strong, even as he balances soccer with family life and new business ventures.

What Kind of Watches are in Lionel Messi’s Watch Collection?

Lionel Messi, known for his unparalleled talent on the field, also possesses an impressive collection of luxury timepieces, showcasing a refined taste for horological masterpieces from some of the world’s most prestigious brands.

Here’s a look at some of the notable watches in his collection:

Louis Vuitton Tambour: This is a custom-made piece featuring a 40-mm gold casing and an integrated bracelet, highlighting a personalized touch to his collection.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph “Leo Messi”: A highly sought-after limited edition, this watch was created during his ambassadorship with Audemars Piguet. It was released in steel, rose gold, and platinum variations, with the platinum version being particularly rare. Its value can be approximately $125,000.
Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon: A rare and distinctive timepiece, this model is valued at around $150,000, with only 50 pieces available worldwide, reflecting its exclusivity.
Rolex Submariner Date 116659 SABR: An extravagant choice, this watch features an 18k white gold case adorned with a bezel set with sapphires and diamonds, and additional diamonds on the case. It is valued at approximately $160,000.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept “Spider-Man”: A notable and eye-catching piece from a recent collaboration, this watch is valued around $215,000 and features a highly sophisticated mechanism.
Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph 5980/1R: Crafted from 18k Rose Gold, this highly desirable Patek Philippe model is valued up to $420,000, a testament to its craftsmanship and demand.
Jacob & Co. Epic X Chrono Messi Full Baguette: This is often considered one of the most premium and dazzling pieces in his collection, reportedly costing around $600,000 due to its extensive diamond setting.
Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar 5270P “Green”: Messi was famously seen wearing this elegant timepiece at the FIFA Best Player Awards 2022. It is valued at approximately $233,000 and features a platinum case with a striking green dial.
Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar 5740/1G: This 18k white gold model was spotted on Messi’s wrist during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, adding to its iconic status. It is valued at approximately $160,000.
Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph 5968A: A more sporty yet luxurious option, this watch features a stainless steel case with a distinctive orange strap. Its value is around $135,000.
Rolex Yacht-Master 126655: In Everose gold with an Oysterflex strap, this watch was notably seen during his signing with PSG. It’s valued around $27,300.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 124300: Featuring a vibrant yellow “Stella” dial, this is a bold and modern classic in his collection.
Rolex Day-Date 228206: This prestigious model in platinum with an ice-blue dial is exclusive to Rolex’s platinum offerings, signifying ultimate luxury.
Rolex GMT-Master II “Pepsi” 126710: A highly iconic and popular Rolex model, featuring the characteristic red and blue ceramic bezel on a Jubilee bracelet.
Rolex Daytona “John Mayer” 116508: Known for its striking green dial and yellow gold case, this now-discontinued model is a highly sought-after collector’s piece.
Rolex Daytona “Rainbow” 116598: This extremely rare and valuable Daytona is celebrated for its multi-colored gemstone bezel and high collectibility in the secondary market.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph: A high-end, complex piece with a 43mm ceramic case, this model is limited to only 50 pieces.
Jacob & Co. Epic X Chrono “Messi” Edition: Part of his collaboration with Jacob & Co., this edition features blue and white accents and is limited to 180 pieces, with values ranging from $128,000 to $165,000 depending on the specific variant.

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