Lionel Messi strikes $20 million deal to join sport-themed crypto platform

Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has joined Socios.com, one of the largest crypto platforms in the world, in a massive US$20-million, three-year deal.

Socios.com is a crypto platform that’s 100 percent dedicated to sports, allowing fans to join games and contests, win prizes and have a say in their favourite sports team decisions using blockchain technology, and Messi – arguably one of the best footballers of all time – is the perfect man for the job.

Tell Messi your favourite thing about Socios. pic.twitter.com/URdRLcKlvh

— Socios.com (@socios) March 31, 2022

Together we can do more. Together we can be more.

Introducing https://t.co/2FROhSNgw8’s first global ambassador, Lionel Messi.#BeMoreThanAFan pic.twitter.com/DxiHckf2Wq

— Socios.com (@socios) March 29, 2022

Powered by Chiliz (CHZ), an Ethereum-based token that’s the official ‘currency’ of Socios, fans can trade, buy, sell and use more than 130 tokens representing different teams in different sports, including of course major football clubs such as PSG, Manchester City and FC Barcelona.

Born in Argentina in 1987, Messi joined the local club in his hometown – the Newell’s Old Boys from Rosario – when he was six before moving to FC Barcelona in 2000 at the age of 13.

READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo buys $1 million Bugatti Chiron watch to match his hypercar

He rapidly progressed through the club’s ranks, making his senior debut with Barcelona in 2004 before moving to PSG last year after 17 seasons and 672 goals for his former club across all competitions.

One year after joining Barça, he made his senior debut for the Argentina national football team in 2005, and he is now Argentina’s captain, most capped player (160 appearances) and top goalscorer with 81 goals.

Fun fact: At the time of writing, PSG (Paris Saint-Germain) is the most valuable fan token on Socios.com, worth 52.41 CHZ, equivalent to $14.44.