Top Footballers Build Tech Investment Portfolios
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have increasingly invested in AI, health, and tech startups, while Mohamed Salah focuses on traditional commercial partnerships.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are diverging in their post-playing career strategies by building substantial portfolios in technology ventures, a path distinct from Mohamed Salah's approach. While Messi and Ronaldo have actively pursued equity stakes in artificial intelligence (AI), health tech, and various startups, Salah has largely concentrated on more traditional avenues such as commercial endorsements, real estate, and philanthropic activities.
This trend has accelerated as venture capital firms increasingly seek celebrity investors for their global reach, credibility, and widespread influence. The shift from one-off endorsement fees to equity in companies reflects a broader strategy among elite athletes to build long-term wealth and financial security beyond their playing careers, transitioning from brand ambassadors to active investors.
In 2022, Messi launched Play Time HoldCo, a San Francisco-based investment firm focused on sports, media, and technology. The firm's portfolio includes companies like FieldAI, Fish Audio, and SuperAnnotate, alongside sports-specific investments in the mobile game Matchday and the memorabilia marketplace AC Momento. Messi also holds equity in the fantasy football platform Sorare and is a co-owner of the esports organization KRÜ Esports.
Ronaldo, conversely, has concentrated his investments almost exclusively in health technology. He has made significant investments in several health tech startups aiming to develop innovative healthcare solutions, highlighting a strategic focus on the long-term potential within the health sector.
Beyond their athletic achievements, these footballers are demonstrating different financial planning approaches. While sponsorships provide income during peak earning years, equity investments offer potential capital appreciation and future dividends, contributing to more sustainable wealth creation after retirement. This signals a significant evolution in how top athletes manage and grow their fortunes.