Lionel Messi's luxury Ferrari cost more than Michael Jordan's entire salary in a single NBA season

Lionel Messi once purchased a Ferrari that cost more than what Michael Jordan earned in a single NBA season during his legendary career.

Messi, who is the second-richest footballer on the planet behind Cristiano Ronaldo, has built an incredible collection of luxury cars.

His fleet includes a Pagani Zonda, Tricolore edition, a Cadillac Escalade and a Maserati Gran Turismo MC Stradale.

Not to mention a Ferrari 335 S Spider Scaglietti, which is worth a whopping $36 million.

According to GOAL, Messi brought the car in an auction, with Ronaldo coming second.

The Ferrari 335 S, also known as the 'prancing horse of 1957', is powered by a 4.0L naturally aspirated V12 engine and can reach a top speed of 300kmph.

That means the vehicle is worth more than what Jordan earned during one of his seasons as a professional basketball player.

The 61-year-old, who won an impressive six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls, is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player in history.

His most lucrative season in the NBA saw 'MJ' earn a cool $33.1 million.

But that means Messi's Ferrari costs more than what Jordan earned in one season, highlighting how extravagant the purchase is.

A Ferrari 335 S Spider Scaglietti on display during an auction. Image: Getty

Messi and Jordan have been likened following their stellar careers.

And Ivan Rakitic, who played with the Argentine at Barcelona, endorsed the comparison when speaking to Toni Kukoc, who played with the American sports icon at the Bulls.

"For us in soccer, what Messi means is Michael Jordan in basketball." he said in a video on NBA Europe’s YouTube channel.

"With both these two guys, they know that without the team behind they’ll never get all they did in their career."