The multi-level marketing (MLM) business model has been a subject of interest in recent years, with various companies experiencing different trends in terms of profits and popularity.

According to Source 4, Optavia-Medifast, a company that utilizes the MLM business model, generated $1,600 million in revenue for 2022, but its revenue decreased by 34.7% to $296 million in Q2, indicating a decline in sales.

This decline in sales can be attributed to various factors, including the lack of independent distributor recognition and limited network marketing transparency, as mentioned in Source 4.

In contrast, Educational Development Corp, a company that uses a multilevel marketing strategy, has strong fundamentals and fair valuation, with its sales being a function of active sales consultants, as stated in Source 8.

The company's consultant count doubled from 33 to 60 thousand amidst the Covid pandemic, which suggests that the pandemic had a positive impact on the company's sales.

However, the pandemic has had a negative impact on other MLM companies, such as Avon and Tupperware, which have experienced a significant decline in stock value, with Avon's stock value falling from $30 to $3 in 10 years, and Tupperware's stock value dropping over 90% in 5 years, as reported in Source 7.

Herbalife, another MLM company, has also experienced a decline in stock value, with its stock down 64% year-to-date, as mentioned in Source 7.

The decline in stock value of these companies can be attributed to various factors, including the stringent regulation regarding MLM companies, as stated in Source 8.

In addition, the rise in oil prices could impact the profitability of MLM companies, such as Educational Development Corp, due to increased shipping costs, as mentioned in Source 8.

The MLM business model has also been criticized for its recruitment component, which has led some companies to switch to a simple direct sales model, as reported in Source 7.

For example, Avon and Tupperware left the Direct Selling Association in 2013-14, which suggests that they may be moving away from the traditional MLM business model.

In terms of popularity, the MLM business model has experienced a decline in recent years, with some companies experiencing a surge in sales during the pandemic, but a decline in sales after the pandemic, as reported in Source 4.

According to Source 6, 3.5 million distributors generated 98 billion yuan in 2020, a 5% increase, but 450,000 MLM merchants quit in 2020, mainly due to non-renewal of contracts.

This suggests that the MLM business model is experiencing a decline in popularity, with many distributors and merchants leaving the industry.

Furthermore, the average commission per person in the MLM industry is 45,000 yuan, with most distributors being supporting players, as reported in Source 6.

This suggests that the MLM business model is not a viable way to make a living for many people, with only a few individuals earning significant commissions.

In conclusion, the MLM business model has experienced a decline in popularity in recent years, with many companies experiencing a decline in sales and stock value.

The decline in popularity of the MLM business model can be attributed to various factors, including the lack of transparency, the recruitment component, and the stringent regulation regarding MLM companies.

However, some companies, such as Educational Development Corp, have experienced a surge in sales during the pandemic, which suggests that the MLM business model can still be viable in certain contexts.

Overall, the trends in the MLM business model suggest that it is a complex and multifaceted industry, with various companies experiencing different trends in terms of profits and popularity.

The industry is likely to continue to evolve in response to changing market conditions and regulatory environments, with some companies adapting to the changes and others struggling to survive.

As reported in Source 4, Optavia-Medifast has strong financials with no debt, but its sales have plummeted recently, which suggests that the company is facing significant challenges in the current market.

In addition, the company's lack of independent distributor recognition and limited network marketing transparency may be contributing to its decline in sales.

According to Source 7, Nuskin stock is down 31% year-to-date, and USANA Health Sciences stock is down 49% year-to-date, which suggests that these companies are also experiencing a decline in popularity.

The decline in popularity of these companies can be attributed to various factors, including the stringent regulation regarding MLM companies and the rise in oil prices.

In terms of the causes of the rising or falling popularity of MLM companies, the pandemic has had a significant impact on the industry, with some companies experiencing a surge in sales during the pandemic, but a decline in sales after the pandemic.

The recruitment component of the MLM business model has also been criticized, with some companies switching to a simple direct sales model without a recruitment component.

Overall, the trends in the MLM business model suggest that it is a complex and multifaceted industry, with various companies experiencing different trends in terms of profits and popularity.

The industry is likely to continue to evolve in response to changing market conditions and regulatory environments, with some companies adapting to the changes and others struggling to survive.

The multi-level marketing (MLM) business model has been a subject of interest in recent years, with various companies experiencing different trends in terms of profits and popularity.

According to Source 4, Optavia-Medifast, a company that utilizes the MLM business model, generated $1,600 million in revenue for 2022, but its revenue decreased by 34.7% to $296 million in Q2, indicating a decline in sales.

Title:

Content: Optavia – Limited Network Marketing Visibility Leads To Decline?

By Team Business For Home

Optavia-Medifast, a Billion Dollar network marketing company, reportedly generated $1,600 million in revenue for 2022. The company has strong financials with a healthy cash position and no debt, but its sales have plummeted. Their Q2 report showed that the company revenue was down 34.7% to $296 million. For more specific details on this report, you can refer to the article here.

According to the OPTAVIA website:

“Optavia offers four components to support you as you begin your journey toward Lifelong Transformation, One Healthy Habit at a Time. Your independent OPTAVIA Coach guides and supports you throughout your journey to optimal health & wellbeing.”

If any network Marketing company has a strong decline it is very hard to turn the decline around. We have observed strong lack of independent distributor recognition.

Optavia – Medifast in Facts and Figures

Facts and figures as of the day of publication of this article:

  • Business for Home rating: A+
  • Current Business for Home Momentum Rank: 70 out of the 900+ world-wide network marketing companies in the BFH database.
  • Similarweb Rank: 61,126 globally, which ranks it 31 out of the 900+ world-wide network marketing companies in the BFH database.
  • Optavia – Medifast has 0 reviews on Business for Home, which ranks it at position 377 out of the 900+ world-wide network marketing companies in the BFH database.
  • Number of Recommended Distributors: 0
  • Business for Home Pageviews: 18,555
  • CEO of Optavia – Medifast: Daniel R. Chard
  • Company location: United States

Data provide by the proprietary Business for Home Intelligence Engine

(article continues below)

Why Optavia is downgraded to a Business for Home A-grade

There are various reasons contributing to a lower rank, such as incomplete information, sparse press releases, lack of transparency, lack of presence of top earners and top leaders, and distributor and social media influencers visibility.

Incomplete Information

Business for Home relies on comprehensive, factual, and substantiated information to accurately assess a company. However, the information shared by Optavia – Medifast appears to be either fragmented or unsubstantiated, adversely affecting its credibility for network marketing prospects.

Sparse Press Releases

Regular and informative press releases and success stories are vitally essential to keep the wider industry abreast of the sales force achievements and decisions. Missing out on this, Optavia – Medifast loses the chance to directly communicate its progresses with prospects.

Absence of Top Earners and Top Leaders visibility

Visible successful (top) earners are vital to any Network Marketing company. They serve not just as inspiration for prospects, but also proof of the company’s success. With a noticeable lack of top earners, Optavia – Medifast is missing out on a key aspect of its appeal.

Distributor Presence

The lack of strong presence in the industry by Optavia – Medifast’s distributors compared to Triple A grade companies adds to its challenges. A visible robust distribution network is vital to make the products more accessible and visible to consumers. Companies sharing consistently success stories are getting the eyeballs on their business opportunity.

How Optavia – Medifast could improve their visibility

Publishing success stories and company press release offer several advantages for Optavia. Here are some of the key advantages of publishing success stories and links to several high performing articles from different companies as examples of a shining marketing strategy anno 2023 :).

Inspiration Motivation, Credibility and Trust

Success stories serve as sources of inspiration and motivation for others. When people read about others who have overcome challenges and achieved their goals, they are often motivated to pursue their own aspirations. They can enhance your credibility and build trust with your audience. Real-life examples of achievements provide evidence that your strategies, products, or services are effective and can deliver results.

Social Proof and Differentiation:

Success stories provide social proof that your offerings have been valuable to others. Potential customers or clients are more likely to engage with your products or services if they see that others have benefited from them. In competitive markets, success stories can set you apart from competitors. Demonstrating your track record of achieving results can give you a unique selling point.

Overall, success stories and press releases have the power to inspire, educate, and foster connections. Whether in the business, personal development, or social spheres, sharing stories of achievement can bring about positive change and growth in Network Marketing.

Optavia – Medifast Conclusion

Based on the information provided by Business for Home, it seems that Optavia – Medifast has the potential to generate decent income for an independent distributor.

However, their limited Network Marketing transparency suggests caution when evaluating the company’s profitability for a Network Marketing Professional. The company seems to have a strategy like Network Marketing company Melaleuca:

“Do not talk about the Network Marketing opportunity, focus on the products.”

That seems not to work to well anymore.

The post Optavia – Limited Network Marketing Visibility Leads To Decline? appeared first on Direct Selling Facts, Figures and News.

Source:: https://www.businessforhome.org/2023/11/optavia-limited-network-marketing-visibility-leads-to-decline/

This decline in sales can be attributed to various factors, including the lack of independent distributor recognition and limited network marketing transparency, as mentioned in Source 4.

In contrast, Educational Development Corp, a company that uses a multilevel marketing strategy, has strong fundamentals and fair valuation, with its sales being a function of active sales consultants, as stated in Source 8.

Title:

Content: Educational Development Corp.: Growth Risk Might Be Overblown

Moat Investing
1.46K Followers

Summary

  • EDUC is the exclusive US co-publisher of educational children's books produced by famous Usborne Publishing by leveraging multilevel marketing (MLM) strategy.
  • It has strong fundamentals, fair valuation, and a compelling growth story that is being ignored by the market.
  • We arrived at a target price of $12.4 to $14.6 without incorporating any future growth and expansion in operating margins.

Investment Idea

Educational Development Corporation (NASDAQ:EDUC) has an attractive value proposition, strong financials, and optionality of significant growth ahead due to structural changes caused by COVID. On top of that, the valuation is reasonable, and management has skin in the game (owns 23% of shares outstanding). For these reasons, we remain bullish.

Business Overview

EDUC is the exclusive US co-publisher of educational children's books produced in the UK by Usborne Publishing, and EDUC also exclusively publishes books through their ownership of Kane Miller.

The business operates in two segments:

Home Business Division (Usborne Books & More or "UBAM") -(95% of revenues) - This segment sells books through consultants directly to consumers using a multilevel marketing model (MLM). Consultants sell books by hosting home parties, social media, and hosting book fairs with schools and public libraries.

Publishing Division – (5% of revenues) - Sells books to bookstores, toy stores, and other retail outlets.

If you would like to get the gist of our thesis, you can watch our YouTube video below.

Value Proposition

The children's books market is very competitive and fragmented. There are more than 135 publishers of children's books in the US. EDUC is competing with Scholastic and Pearson, which have extensive resources to run marketing campaigns and are well-positioned in both online and offline distribution channels. Although EDUC has a little moat, they have some strengths to their business model that will allow long-term value creation.

They have an exclusive and long-term relationship with Usborne. Therefore, clients of the Usborne in the US must acquire their books via EDUC. Also, there is a consensus that Usborne books are high quality and among the industry's best.

Their sales are a function of the number of active sales consultants. Commissions paid to consultants are a variable cost, and they are only paid when sales are made. Although this makes SG&A grow as the top line grows, since it's not a fixed cost to the business, it allows EDUC to achieve significant operating leverage. Also, it allows them to scale quickly and have flexibility.

Direct sales strategies like multilevel marketing are commonly referred to as pyramid and Ponzi schemes. However, the table below shows that it does work sustainably and increases revenue growth over the long run despite the negative press.

Source: S&P Capital IQ

Why might EDUC be mispriced?

There are multiple factors. Firstly, it's a micro-cap. This usually means there is limited analyst coverage, and due to the stock's illiquidity, there is low institutional interest. These factors, coupled with others, leave the company under the market radar despite its business is doing well and has promising perspectives.

Second, there is negative press around the MLM business models. The MLM model deployed by EDUC is vastly different from dodgy tactics used by other players. For example, many MLM models require the seller to purchase the inventory from the company before selling. However, this reduces the risk for the company and puts extra pressure on the seller, which can be left with expensive inventory that cannot be sold or returned. In the case of EDUC, there is no requirement to hold inventory.

Third, markets might be believing that the business's tailwinds are temporary due to COVID. Amidst Covid, schools were closed, and parents were working from home; this drove home-based learning and benefited EDUC. Additionally, unemployment rates soared, and many were left looking for work. This allowed EDUC almost to double its consultant count from 33 to 60 thousand. We believe the post-pandemic work from home trend will persist, supporting their sales. Furthermore, the active consultant might not fall back to the pre-pandemic level as these roles are usually part-time work which fits nicely with the trending gig economy.

The evidence speaks louder than words

There are also some clues from the management that revenue generated amidst pandemics might be sticky.

Management increased its dividend per share from $0.20 to $0.32. A dividend increase should be seen as a signal that a business is in solid financial shape and management is confident about its future.

Management increased capital expenditures to $4.15 million from $0.64 in 2020. This expenditure was primarily associated with equipment purchases to increase daily shipping capacity. These are some early signs that management is expecting positive growth going ahead. Additionally, this also improves their margins as amidst Covid they paid a premium for extra shifts.

EDUC has increased its inventory; the inventory build-up is approximately 60% of its total assets. This has been in anticipation of an increase in the sales, as it takes a four to six-month lead-time to have a title printed and delivered to them.

Source: Koyfin

Value Investing Approach: Asset Value

To calculate the actual asset value of the company, we tried to replicate the business from scratch. Therefore, below you will find the last reported balance sheet, where we have made some adjustments.

The value of the land recorded on books was $4.1 million. They own a 40-acre complex at 5402 South 122nd East Ave, Tulsa, with 400,000 square feet of office and warehouse space. They also own a facility located at 10302 East 55th Place, Tulsa, that has 105,000 square feet of usable space. According to our channel checks with realtors, the average price per square foot of their land lies between the range of $100 to $115. To remain conservative, we took the average price square feet to be $85. Therefore, we estimate the value of its land to be $42.9 million.

They also have a network of around 55,000 active consultants. To construct such a network from scratch is both costly and time-consuming. We estimate the replication cost of this network to be around $27.5 million ($500 per consultant). This is also roughly five months of sales commission cost incurred by EDUC in the fiscal year 2021.

The rest of the items are taken on book value.

Based on the above adjustment, we arrive at the total asset value of 106.7, and the fair value per share to be $12.4

Source: Moat Investing

Value Investing Approach: Earnings Power Value

This approach allows us to value EDUC without incorporating any growth. Here, we consider the business's historical figures (last five years) to get the normalized earnings and operating margin. To calculate the sustainable earnings, we smoothed out the company revenues for the previous five years to $131 million and then calculated the firm's average operating margin (6.5%) to arrive at the sustainable Operating Income of $8.5 million.

We add back the expenses typically spent on growth, and we estimate around 4.5% of sales is spent on growth marketing, i.e., promotion, advertisement, and discounts. Hence, we add this back as this expense is not required if the firm was not aiming to achieve growth.

We assume the normalized tax rate to be 26% and the estimated cost of equity at 9%. Therefore, we estimate Earning Power Value of the operating business to be $134 million. To that, we add the non-operational cash ($1.8 million), and we subtract long-term debt (10.8); we arrive at an implied market cap of $125.6 million or $14.6 price per share, with 12.3% upside potential, without incorporating any growth or expansion in operating margins.

Source: Moat Investing

Risks to Our Investment Case

  • Stringent regulation regarding MLM companies. For instance, the requirement to treat consultants as employees. This could have implication when it comes to taxation, wages paid and welfare concerns for workers. This could, in turn, shrink the bottom line or, worse, business model tatters.
  • The most straightforward risk is consultants quitting or switching to find other employment as the US economy improves. However, within our valuation model, we have smoothed the growth of revenue in the last five years, which is a function of l consultants recruited. Even if there is some mean reversion in terms of consultants working with EDUC due to the COVID base effect, our thesis would be less impacted.
  • As highlighted earlier EDUC’s inventory level is a significant portion of its asset. Whatever reason they become unsalable (i.e., change in taste or controversy in terms of published content) could impact our valuation.
  • Oil prices have increased significantly since last year (see below). Shipping costs are amongst the most significant component of its COGS; further rise in oil prices (consequently increasing shipping cost) could make it difficult for EDUC to remain profitable.

Source: Trading Economics

Conclusion

EDUC has an attractive value proposition, strong financials, and optionality of significant growth ahead due to structural changes caused by COVID. On top of that, the valuation is reasonable, management has skin in the game (owns 23% of shares outstanding), and investors are not even paying for any future growth at current prices. For these reasons, we remain bullish.

This article was written by

1.46K Followers
We are a group of experienced investors that like to dig deeper into stocks to find growth stories at a reasonable price with strong economic moats. We also aim to conduct high-quality analysis by deep diving into valuations, key business drivers, risk/reward, and different future scenarios.
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Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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The company's consultant count doubled from 33 to 60 thousand amidst the Covid pandemic, which suggests that the pandemic had a positive impact on the company's sales.

However, the pandemic has had a negative impact on other MLM companies, such as Avon and Tupperware, which have experienced a significant decline in stock value, with Avon's stock value falling from $30 to $3 in 10 years, and Tupperware's stock value dropping over 90% in 5 years, as reported in Source 7.

Title:

Content: 'Direct Selling' - Avon, Tupperware - Is Extinct

Nov. 18, 2022 11:25 AM ETHLF, MED, NTCO, NUS, PRI, TUP, USNA3 Comments
Robert FitzPatrick
394 Followers

Summary

  • Direct Selling became obsolete generations ago. So how is it that millions today get recruited for "income opportunity" in "direct selling" and billions are traded on "direct selling" stocks?
  • Avon and Tupperware are cited by "multi-level marketing," or MLM, promoters as "proof" that MLM, e.g., Amway, Herbalife, is "direct selling."
  • Usable data on actual income and churn rates of MLM "direct sellers," market saturation, and retail sales to actual customers are not provided.
  • In fact, Avon and Tupperware for years have been walking dinosaurs, still trying to do "person-to-person" sales to end-users with commodity products, while MLMs hype "unlimited" income.
  • The shrunken and devolved state of Avon and Tupperware today reveals that direct selling is extinct. MLM is not, and never was, direct selling.

It is generally accepted that "direct selling" was killed off generations ago by mass merchandising, big box stores, mail-order and then the internet, among other societal changes. The "Fuller Brush man" is long gone. No one's at home. No one wants or needs or has time for a "personal" salesperson. Everything's in stores or online. And, even when "direct selling" still lived, no one ever went into that tough line of work thinking they would get rich from it.

Yet, each year, millions are recruited, and pay thousands, for the "opportunity" to work as "direct sellers," with promises and expectations of "unlimited" income. The number involved today is many, many times greater than ever worked in that "extinct" field decades ago. Billions are being traded on Wall Street for shares of "direct selling" companies. How can this be?

In my book, Ponzinomics, the Untold Story of Multi-Level Marketing, I document the death of "direct selling" and the 1945 invention of "multi-level marketing," or MLM. I describe how "MLM" falsely assumed direct selling's revered old identity. I trace MLM from its Adam, a little California-based company called "Nutrilite," to today's "industry" led by Amway, Herbalife (HLF) down 64% YTD, Nuskin (NUS) down 31%, USANA Health Sciences (USNA) down 49%, Primerica, Inc. (PRI) down 13%, and Medifast (MED) down 45%. MLM's financial solicitations for consumers to become "direct sellers" have reached into – and led to losses for – virtually every household in America.

In the newly invented "MLM," the main source of revenue shifted from end-user customers to the salespeople themselves who are incentivized to "be their own customer" by buying their own products. Obviously, no one makes money purchasing their own inventory, but MLM offered a unique reason to do so – "unlimited" income potential.

No More Need to Knock on Doors

All MLM "direct sellers" can potentially gain "unlimited" income by recruiting an "endless" chain of other "direct sellers." No need to pound the pavement and get rudely rejected at front doors any more. Each "direct seller" on the chain has to meet a quota to "qualify" for future rewards from their recruits who, in turn, are their "own customers" and recruiters too, ad infinitum. The chain can grow without continuous personal effort. The qualifying quota can usually be met by just making a personal monthly purchase of inventory. "Commissions" on all these transactions, all the way down to the "last ones in," flow up the chain. In the MLM pay plan, most of the total commissions go to the top 1%. So, all new "direct sellers" try mightily to recruit (and buy) their way to those top ranks. Of course, only a tiny few can ever be at the top.

Some people argued this is a pyramid recruiting scheme, inherently unfair and deceptive, and a counterfeit of direct selling. In the design and the pay plan, bottom ranks – the vast majority – will inevitably lose. They said constantly adding salespeople in any area destroys profitable retail selling potential, if any exists to start with. They cited data on 90-99% loss rates and huge churn rates among new "recruits" and asked, where are the retail "customers"?

While offering no data on retail customers or salespeople losses or market saturation, MLM promoters offered "proof" that MLM is direct selling by pointing to two long-established and respected direct selling companies in their ranks, Avon and Tupperware (TUP). Both companies were members of the Direct Selling Association, DSA, and both were "direct selling" icons, Avon for its "ladies" and Tupperware for its "parties." To any pyramid scheme accusations, MLM promoters indignantly countered: "Are you calling Avon and Tupperware pyramid schemes?"

Walking Dinosaurs

The truth for both companies is very different from the MLM-spin. Avon and Tupperware used to have differentiated products and real consumer demand. Their salespeople made money from their own retail sales. But moving into the 21st Century, Avon and Tupperware became walking dinosaurs, vestiges of the extinct era of "direct selling." They were still trying to base their businesses on their historical brands and on person-to-person retail sales to real customers, as direct selling companies always used to do.

Despite MLM's citing Avon and Tupperware, and thereby bestowing legitimacy on the "MLM" members of the Direct Selling Association, deep differences between those icons of the old era and MLM burst into public view in 2013-14. The two companies publicly quit the Direct Selling Association, charging ethics violations and DSA-member connections to pyramid schemes.

Avon's Long Good-Bye

Avon had been a true direct seller for decades before MLM was invented. But as the door-to-door model faded, Avon began a long decline. In 2000, Avon began shifting its focus to "incentivizing" salespeople to recruit more salespeople and getting them to buy inventory, MLM-style. In 2009, during the Great Recession, Avon ran its most expensive ad in history, on television during the Super Bowl. The ad never mentioned any Avon products! It only solicited "salespeople." Still, global revenue dropped continuously over the next 10 years. Avon stock value fell from over $30 to just over $3.

Finally, Avon split off its faltering North American business and sold it to the Korean company, LG Household & Health Care. Avon claimed to have 250,000 sales representatives in North America. The remaining global business was later sold to the Brazilian MLM, Natura (NTCO) down 50% YTD, which also owns the retailer, Body Shop. Though Avon global was much larger, Avon shareholders traded 3 shares of Avon for just one in Natura.

The Korean-owned segment of Avon in North America is now classic MLM, selling the proverbial MLM "income opportunity" along with "health" supplements, make-up, jewelry, clothing, scented candles, even toothpaste.

On the Canadian Avon website, Avon promotes the "income opportunity," urging prospects in large bold black type: "Think big. Sell Avon part-time, full-time, you decide how much! It’s your business, your way!"

A disclosure (legally required in Canada, but not in the USA) appears midway down a long webpage in tiny, barely visible gray lettering: "The 2020 earnings of a typical Avon Leadership Representative was between $0 and $2,620 in commissions and bonuses." That's $0 to $50 a week, before subtracting all costs! And the "disclosure" does not break out how much of that tiny return comes from personal sales or the "downline."

Avon quietly rejoined the Direct Selling Association. The Brazilian company, Natura, which took over Avon's global business in 2020, has lost over 60% of its stock value in the last year.

Tupperware on the Brink

Tupperware was one of the first "party plan" companies, which are technically a small subset of MLM. They employ an "endless" recruiting chain, but are more rooted in retail sales transacted at "parties." Tupperware used to have a popular brand with innovative, differentiated products. But, as true direct selling began to disappear, Tupperware went into decline. It added MLM-type "health and beauty" commodities to bolster recruiting appeal but then deleted them. This year, it began also selling its products in Target department stores. Its kitchen-related goods are generally not distinct from other brands. A 10-months "Income disclosure" for Canada (not published in the USA) showed that half the "party planners" were classified "inactive," earning less than $30 for the period on average. 94% of the "active" ones reportedly received about $12 a week on average, before expenses.

In the last 5 years, the stock value of Tupperware has dropped over 90%. Its latest financials warned investors the company may violate loan agreements, setting off speculation Tupperware might declare bankruptcy.

The shrunken and devolved state of Avon and Tupperware, the most famous brand-icons of "direct selling," makes citing them as a defense of "multi-level marketing" as extinct as their old business model.

This article was written by

394 Followers
Robert L. FitzPatrick is the author of the new book, Ponzinomics, the Untold Story of Multi-Level Marketing (2020),the first comprehensive history and analysis of the "MLM" phenomenon, addressing its political influence, propaganda techniques and use of cult persuasion. FitzPatrick is an expert in examining and revealing deception and fraud in Ponzi schemes, pyramid schemes and bogus home-based businesses. He served as expert or consultant in more than 30 court cases involving pyramid schemes and multi-level marketing. He is co-author of False Profits (1997), an examination of the values and beliefs that support the delusions of pyramid schemes. He was featured on NBC Dateline, ABC World News, and CBS 60 Minutes, the documentary film, Betting on Zero and the podcast, The Dream.He has been quoted in many newspapers around the world, including the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. His booklet, Pyramid Nation, has been translated to Chinese and used by government regulators in writing China's first laws on pyramid schemes. His booklet, "The 10 Big Lies of Multi-Level Marketing", has been translated into four languages and posted on numerous websites. His White Paper, "The Main Street Bubble", which details the extensive influence-buying of the direct selling industry was featured in a CNBC Documentary, Selling the American Dream. In 2005, he delivered a seminar to in Colombo, Sri Lanka to central banking representatives from that country as well as India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal. Robert FitzPatrick has developed informational resources for consumers, journalists, academics and regulators including a multi-media PowerPoint presentation and a statistical analysis of the losses suffered by participants in pyramid selling schemes. He also published a widely read booklet on the landmark federal case brought against the Amway Corporation. He is a expert network member of GLG Research, and Coleman Research Group, as well as other networks of experts who are referred to clients for consultation, speaking and report writing. In this capacity, he has provided expert consultation to financial many analysts who sought information about multi-level marketing companies and pyramid and Ponzi schemes. Robert FitzPatrick co-founded and serves as president of Pyramid Scheme Alert, the first international organization to expose and prevent pyramid scheme fraud. He personally responds to hundreds of consumer and news media inquiries each year. He has served as consultant and expert witness for Attorney General or State Attorney offices in four states, the US Dept. of Justice, and in numerous cases involving distributor fraud and pyramid schemes. Robert FitzPatrick is not an investor in multi-level marketing companies. He has never owned and never plans to own stocks of multi-level marketing companies. He has never been compensated based on any stock's performance. He does not offer investment advice and he is not an attorney.

Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it. I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Additional disclosure: This article is for educational purposes only. It discusses fundamentals of the "direct selling" business model and the evolution of "multi-level marketing."

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Herbalife, another MLM company, has also experienced a decline in stock value, with its stock down 64% year-to-date, as mentioned in Source 7.

The decline in stock value of these companies can be attributed to various factors, including the stringent regulation regarding MLM companies, as stated in Source 8.

In addition, the rise in oil prices could impact the profitability of MLM companies, such as Educational Development Corp, due to increased shipping costs, as mentioned in Source 8.

The MLM business model has also been criticized for its recruitment component, which has led some companies to switch to a simple direct sales model, as reported in Source 7.

For example, Avon and Tupperware left the Direct Selling Association in 2013-14, which suggests that they may be moving away from the traditional MLM business model.

In terms of popularity, the MLM business model has experienced a decline in recent years, with some companies experiencing a surge in sales during the pandemic, but a decline in sales after the pandemic, as reported in Source 4.

According to Source 6, 3.5 million distributors generated 98 billion yuan in 2020, a 5% increase, but 450,000 MLM merchants quit in 2020, mainly due to non-renewal of contracts.

Title:

Content: [Street Industry Watch] In the Year of the Pandemic, many people joined the "marketing" to pull down the line, but nearly half of the revenue was used to pay "multi-level" commissions.
Photo Credit: Central News Agency
What we want you to know is
At the same time, the body product channel and product spokesperson can further bring the "offline", which is the start of expanding the business and crossing the threshold of receiving commissions.
But this threshold seems easy, but not everyone can climb, because whether it is old or new distributors, most of them only contribute to the commission of the supporting role......
In the summer of 2020, it is supposed to be the graduation season of college students and the time when social newcomers are pouring out of the cage, but I saw a youthful face at a few lively junctions in the business district of Banqiao, and started the work of “listing people ” for housing construction.
Single-handed advertising placard, carrying a backpack leaning against the road light pole, the other holding a thin, seemingly split reference book, on the hot sun, earning the card holder's hard hourly salary, and paving the way for future job hunting.
When a PT (Part Time, Part-time, Part-time, Part-time) job that was originally labeled as a middle-aged, second-degree employment face, there were many young faces, can not help but make people shiver in the heat of the day!
The virus has hit households and disrupted the job market, affecting youth employment.
We have to admit that the epidemic has disrupted the pace of new people entering society and seeking jobs. Although it is at a time when the virus has not really invaded the door, the job market has been chaotic.
According to the Ministry of Labor ’ s “Youth Employment Status ” report, there are about 280,000 college graduates in 2020, a decrease of 5.4% compared to 2019. This reflects not only the decrease in the number of children and the decrease in the number of college students, but also the explosion of life extension in 2020. If further deduction is further deducted, the number of people who can work (including military service) is a low of nearly 5 years (223,000), a decrease of 12% compared to 2019. And...
As of the end of January 2021, only 68.3%, about 152,000 people, of the post-secondary students who graduated in 2020 and are working people, joined the ranks of labor / agriculture / public insurance, which is not only a low point in the past five years, but also a decrease of 24% compared with the previous year.
In other words, there are many college graduates, after more than half a year of job search, still have not successfully entered the workplace; the pressure of job search and living economy, so that they have to make very choices in this extraordinary period.
The job market is cold, and marketing continues to expand its organization, becoming a potential employment option for new people in society.
In 2021, the virus officially "invaded the door" in May, before graduating from college in the new year.
The alert of the epidemic, so that this year's job market has a cold wind, but also the unemployment rate in July this year (4.53%), blowing up the same period of high in the past decade, recently graduated social fresh people, inevitably have to face the fear of graduation, namely unemployment.
However, there is a saying in the workplace: Despite the economic downturn, business jobs such as insurance and distribution are always recruiting.
If this is not true, we can try to turn off or turn on the query function of the above industries on the job search platform to achieve a full personal experience.
However, in 2020, the number of people registered for the personal insurance business survey (85,000) increased by 5% compared to the previous year, and the number of new entrants to the marketing business is also a million people.
This is the type of occupation that people need to earn life, some people are joining is no retreat, but some people are carrying a dream forward, but the dream is very rich, the reality is very bones, when we dream in the winter, do not forget to pragmatically understand the mode of operation of the industry.
Today, let ’ s talk about selling!
Most people's stereotypes of marketing remain in the "brainwashing" of marketing conferences, constantly inculcating that this is a "personal business," getting rid of being hired as social animals, and directly attacking the freedom of wealth, and in addition, trying to give individuals the self-esteem and ability to think independently, suggesting that "thinking for themselves, not having to discuss with others."
Perhaps, some people have experienced this process of marketing to pull members off the line, some people join, some people feel that it is a "cult", but making money, quality of life, and self-empowerment (Self-empowerment) these material and psychological skills, is indeed for most people have a certain hypnotic effect.
However, most of our understanding of marketing is just the “recruitment ” discourse, and we do not have a deep understanding of how it works.
Perhaps, when we understand the logic of the industry, we can better understand why the so-called brainwashing conference is a starting point for marketing recruitment.
Multi-level marketing requires multiple distributors as sales and marketing channels
According to the Fair Trade Commission ’ s “Multi-level Marketing Business Development Survey ”, nearly 3.5 million distributors (each“ individual ” who joined members or purchased goods is an independent distributor) of 314 marketing entities (such as Anli, Ruxin, etc.) in 2020 generated a turnover of 98 billion yuan, a slight increase of 5% over the previous year. In contrast to the population over 20 years of age (more than 19.4 million people), about one in six people join the ranks of distributors.
Since all distributors replace all types of retail channels, they not only have the function of the channel, but also have the function of marketing, that is, word-of-mouth marketing, so whether they emphasize themselves as retail (sales) orientation, product recommendation (head-pulling) orientation, or emphasis on membership, they are ultimately based on "people" and "organizational hierarchy".
And the product channel and marketing costs saved by the marketing business are converted into the commission of the distributor.
Therefore, when we contact distributors and ask them why they are involved in the marketing industry, they will almost unanimously reply, "The product is great!"
Distributors continue to pay for new members by pulling down the line, expanding the organization and expanding the commission
That being said, it ’ s one thing to see how great a product is in the domain of a distributor, and constantly adding new blood is the highest goal for continuous marketing, expanding the organization, and increasing revenue and commission revenue.
Similarly, according to the Fair Trade Association report, the number of new entrants to the market in 2020 is about 1 million, and for the past five years, the number of new entrants has remained at around 1 million each year.
And in 314 marketing businesses, 96% of the joining system is to take "conditional join", of which, the most important is "order goods" (62%), "pay a deposit or membership fee" (59%), so "conditional join" is not only contributing to the marketing business and the top level of the sales (the one who pulls you in), but also contributing to the level of the commission.
In contrast, if someone joins, someone exits. The number of MLM merchants who quit in 2020 is about 450,000, and the number of exits in each of the past five years has been around 400,000 to 500,000.
The main reason for exiting is “non-renewal of contract ” (83%), which means no longer operating, no longer consuming, and the product is no longer considered“ great ”.
However, in this process, there will always be new blood distributors who will contribute to the expansion of the organization and the commission generated after the consumption of the product.
Whether old or new distributors, most are only supporting players who contribute commissions
As has been mentioned, the distributor at the same time with the product channel and product marketing (endorsement) people, their own recognition of the product, use, and purchase, to become a new member of the body and teaching.
Of course, once you can further bring in new members, new distributors, or offline, it is the beginning of expanding your business and crossing the threshold of receiving commissions.
It seems that the threshold is easy, but not everyone can climb it.
According to a survey conducted by the Fair Trade Association, 222 of the 314 marketing businesses (about 70%), and more than 60% of its distributors will make stable orders to the company; however, only 27% of all marketing companies (about 960,000 people) receive commissions, and the average commission per person is 45,000 yuan.
Therefore, most distributors who order goods either maintain their status as distributors by buying products, or sincerely recognize and continue to use the products; and by bringing in new distributors, order sales, and achieve a commission threshold, and can earn a stable salary or even become rich in this industry, not only are rare, but also the successful cases seen in various conferences or education and training survivors. "The Beautiful Misunderstanding We Have".
It doesn ’ t matter if the product is worth the price
In addition to the threshold, this kind of personal marketing and sales channels, to achieve the "multi-level" (that is, constantly expanding the organization down the line) of the business of distribution, not only eat personal interpersonal skills, "multi-level" commission distribution will indirectly increase product prices.
According to a survey conducted by the fair society, the import cost of the pyramid scheme business accounts for only 28% of the turnover, but the commission accounts for 44% of the turnover, in other words, the real cost of selling a commodity of $100 is only $28, $44 is used as the commission of the pyramid scheme business, and the remaining $28 is the administrative expenses and profits of the pyramid scheme. Whether the essence of a product is value for money is one thing, the marketing business will compress its own profits, expand its commission expenditure, and recruit and expand the organization with a strategy of large is beautiful, so that we can find: there are so many people who have joined the ranks of marketing!
Marketing has always been a very special industry, in which a small number of people have been able to earn their fair share of commissions, and become the mainstay of business operations, but the vast majority of people are only a supporting part of this multi-level marketing structure, and by paying membership fees, buying and using products, they become a part of the source of commissions.
Back to the intention of writing this article, no matter how difficult the job search for new people in society during the epidemic, I hope that by understanding the operation mode of an industry, I can assess whether to use the marketing industry as the first job to enter the society.
Through the Fair Commission report, we have gained a profound understanding, no matter how many of these people successfully earn high commissions and create successful careers, this data is hinting at us: if this industry is the main occupation, not only requires a certain degree of interpersonal relationships and skills, there may be a period of social novices can not understand life or career experience.
Source: Ministry of Labor “Youth Employment Status ”, Fair Trading Commission“ Multi-level Marketing Business Development Survey ”
Extended reading
Editorial responsibility: Ding Zhaojiu
Editor ： Weng Shihang
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This suggests that the MLM business model is experiencing a decline in popularity, with many distributors and merchants leaving the industry.

Furthermore, the average commission per person in the MLM industry is 45,000 yuan, with most distributors being supporting players, as reported in Source 6.

This suggests that the MLM business model is not a viable way to make a living for many people, with only a few individuals earning significant commissions.

In conclusion, the MLM business model has experienced a decline in popularity in recent years, with many companies experiencing a decline in sales and stock value.

The decline in popularity of the MLM business model can be attributed to various factors, including the lack of transparency, the recruitment component, and the stringent regulation regarding MLM companies.

However, some companies, such as Educational Development Corp, have experienced a surge in sales during the pandemic, which suggests that the MLM business model can still be viable in certain contexts.

Overall, the trends in the MLM business model suggest that it is a complex and multifaceted industry, with various companies experiencing different trends in terms of profits and popularity.

The industry is likely to continue to evolve in response to changing market conditions and regulatory environments, with some companies adapting to the changes and others struggling to survive.

As reported in Source 4, Optavia-Medifast has strong financials with no debt, but its sales have plummeted recently, which suggests that the company is facing significant challenges in the current market.

In addition, the company's lack of independent distributor recognition and limited network marketing transparency may be contributing to its decline in sales.

According to Source 7, Nuskin stock is down 31% year-to-date, and USANA Health Sciences stock is down 49% year-to-date, which suggests that these companies are also experiencing a decline in popularity.

The decline in popularity of these companies can be attributed to various factors, including the stringent regulation regarding MLM companies and the rise in oil prices.

In terms of the causes of the rising or falling popularity of MLM companies, the pandemic has had a significant impact on the industry, with some companies experiencing a surge in sales during the pandemic, but a decline in sales after the pandemic.

The recruitment component of the MLM business model has also been criticized, with some companies switching to a simple direct sales model without a recruitment component.


Lionel Messi is widely considered the number one football player in the world due to his impressive career achievements, including winning seven FIFA Ballon d’Or awards [1] and eight Ballon d'Or awards.

He has led Barcelona to ten La Liga titles [1] and four UEFA Champions League titles [1], and has scored over 700 goals in official matches.

Messi's playing style is characterized as exceptional, with a low center of gravity due to his small size, allowing him to have explosive pace and stable strength.

He is considered the most technically gifted footballer [2] and has a record-breaking number of trophies, with 44 major trophies since 2004.

Messi's skills and records compare favorably to other top footballers, including Cristiano Ronaldo, with whom he is often compared [2][4][6].

He has the highest number of goals in Europe's top five leagues, with 496 goals [6], and has won numerous awards, including the FIFA World Cup and Copa America with Argentina [1][3].

Messi's influence on the sport is significant, with many considering him one of the greatest footballers of all time [7].

He has been ranked as one of the top players in the world, with a fifth-place ranking in FIFA 23 ratings.

Overall, Messi's achievements, playing style, and influence on the sport make a strong case for him being considered the number one football player in the world [1][2][3][6].

Lionel Messi is widely considered the number one football player in the world due to his impressive career achievements, including winning seven FIFA Ballon d’Or awards [1] and eight Ballon d'Or awards.

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Content: Highlights

  • The 2010s showcased legendary talent like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, shaping football history for decades to come.
  • 10 of the best players from this era have been ranked based on factors such as skill, impact, and honours earned.
  • Manuel Neuer, Sergio Ramos and Neymar are among the players who shaped a golden decade of football.

The 2010s were an era blessed with unbelievable footballing talent, with many labelling some of the players throughout this era as some of the best to ever play the game. From the greatness of Lionel Messi to the innovation of Manuel Neuer, those 10 years truly had it all.

Picking out the 10 best players to have featured in this period is extremely difficult as there are so many players who are easily ‘world-class’ quality, but a few stand out above the rest. The below list includes the very best that the 2010-2020 decade had to offer in world football. To come to the conclusion of where each football ranks among their peers, the following ranking factors have been considered.

Ranking Factors

  • The ability of each player
  • Impact during the 2010-2020 decade
  • Individual and team honours won throughout the 10 years

10 Greatest Footballers of the 2010s [Ranked]

Rank

Player

Club(s)

1.

Lionel Messi

Barcelona

2.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid, Juventus

3.

Andres Iniesta

Barcelona, Vissel Kobe

4.

Luka Modric

Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid

5.

Xavi

Barcelona, Al Sadd

6.

Luis Suarez

Liverpool, Barcelona

7.

Gareth Bale

Tottenham, Real Madrid

8.

Neymar Jr

Santos, Barcelona, PSG

9.

Sergio Ramos

Real Madrid

10.

Manuel Neuer

Schalke, Bayern Munich

10 Manuel Neuer

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Bayern Munich

It is rare on a ‘top-ten’ list that you see a goalkeeper due to outfield players typically getting all the praise. However, Manuel Neuer revolutionised the position. With over 500 games for Bayern Munich and 100 for Germany, he has had a legendary career in Germany spanning across 20 years.

Related
50 Best Goalkeepers of All Time Ranked From ‘Safe Hands’ to ‘Greatest Ever’
The 50 best goalkeepers of all time (male and female) have been ranked into six different categories.

Despite being 39 years old, Neuer is still one of the best players in the world, which proves exactly why he is one of the best players of this era. The German shot-stopper won practically everything any player could ever want, including the World Cup in 2014. Neuer is more than deserving of a spot on this list.

Manuel Neuer 2010s Stats

Team

Appearances

Clean Sheets

Bayern Munich

440

216

9 Sergio Ramos

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Real Madrid

Another player who suffers in the same situation as Neuer in terms of being underappreciated is Sergio Ramos. The Spaniard is not only one of the best defenders of the 2010s era but in football history.

Featuring in the UEFA Team of the Year nine times and winning multiple domestic titles in both Spain and France, Ramos possesses an honours list longer than most players could ever dream of. He is no doubt an icon of the game, being an inspiration to so many defenders throughout their careers. The fact he is only ninth on this list shows exactly how good this era of footballers was.

Sergio Ramos' 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Real Madrid

393

69

24

8 Neymar Jr

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Santos, Barcelona, PSG

This list can seem extremely harsh as Neymar is often considered one of the best players of this century, let alone the 2010s decade. However, the sheer talent of his peers finds him at eighth. The Brazilian was part of arguably the greatest strike force of all time at Barcelona during this era, dominating football across Spain and Europe during that time.

3:23
Related
Brazil's 18 Greatest Ever Footballers (Ranked)
Ronaldo, Pele, Ronaldinho, Neymar and Kaka all feature as 18 the greatest Brazilian players ever are ranked.

He is also the all-time leading goalscorer for Brazil, surpassing the legendary Pele in 2022. Moving to PSG saw even more success for Neymar, winning the Ligue 1 title almost every season he was at the club. All his success saw him establish himself as one of the best in the 2010s.

Neymar Jr's 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Santos

90

56

26

Barcelona

186

105

76

PSG

85

70

41

7 Gareth Bale

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Tottenham, Real Madrid

Potentially one of the most underrated players of the 2010s, Gareth Bale burst onto the scene in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur and secured his big move to Real Madrid in 2013, where he spent most of his career. Five Champions League trophies and three La Liga titles later, Bale had nothing short of a stellar career in Spain.

Although some love was lost in Madrid by the end of his career, he guided his national side, Wales, to two European Championships and a World Cup, which helped cement his legacy as a footballing legend.

Gareth Bale's 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Tottenham Hotspur

161

66

29

Real Madrid

251

105

56

6 Luis Suarez

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Liverpool, Barcelona

One of the best strikers to ever step onto a football pitch, Luis Suarez earned his legacy thanks to a superb career at Barcelona, earning the title of ‘world’s best’ from many former players and managers.

Related
15 Greatest Barcelona Players of All Time [Ranked]
Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Diego Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario all feature among Barcelona's greatest ever players.

With 147 goals in 191 matches for the Spanish side, his goalscoring talent is likened to some of the best strikers of all time, like Ronaldo Nazario. Him winning the Golden Boot in the Eredivisie, Premier League, and La Liga are just small details that back up these comparisons. As far as natural strikers in the 2010s, he tops this list comfortably. However, he falls short of the top positions on the overall list.

Luis Suarez' 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Liverpool

133

82

29

Barcelona

283

198

96

5 Xavi

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Barcelona, Al Sadd

If this was a list of the best players throughout the 2000s, Xavi could be higher than some of the players above him here. However, his departure from Barcelona in 2015 means that he falls down this ranking slightly.

The fact he still finds himself in the top five while only playing half of the decade shows exactly how good he was. He played 521 times for Barcelona whilst establishing himself as one of the best midfielders ever.

His career performance earned him a place in the Ballon d’Or Dream XI, an all-time football team comprised of the best players ever. A multiple-time La Liga winner and a World Cup Champion, he deservedly earns a spot on this list.

Xavi's 2010s stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Barcelona

241

42

58

Al-Sadd

101

24

31

4 Luka Modric

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid

In an era full of some of the best footballers we have ever seen, Luka Modric stood out as one of the best that football had to offer. After earning a move from Tottenham to Real Madrid similar to Bale, the midfielder has been a serial winner almost every season he has played for Los Blancos.

Related
10 Greatest Croatian Players in Football History [Ranked]
Though its history remains young, Croatia have already built a reputation for producing some of Europe's most beguiling footballers.

His 25 major trophies in Madrid, including five Champions Leagues, show exactly how good the Croatian is. He also gained the individual praise he deserved from the football world in 2018, as he was awarded the Ballon d'Or award for his tremendous efforts that year. Modric is a generational talent who has become a legend for his club and country.

Luka Modric's 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Tottenham

84

9

9

Real Madrid

343

22

48

3 Andres Iniesta

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Barcelona, Vissel Kobe

Xavi’s Spanish midfield partner during the golden era of Barcelona, Andres Iniesta, just pipped his ex-teammate to the higher position on this list due to his longevity during the 2010s. Iniesta enjoyed a very similar career to his La Masia counterpart, including scoring one of the most famous goals ever in the 2010 World Cup final to win the tournament for Spain.

His 442 appearances for Barcelona have also seen him win many honours throughout the 2010s. The ‘best of the rest’ in this scenario, Iniesta finishes in a very respectful third place on this list of amazing talent.

Andres Iniesta's 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Barcelona

363

33

69

Vissel Kobe

75

16

19

2 Cristiano Ronaldo

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Real Madrid, Juventus

Now onto the two best we have ever seen in football. Despite many debates as to who is first and second on this list, Cristiano Ronaldo just falls to second. Five Ballon d’Or awards, five Champions Leagues, seven domestic titles, and a European Championship. What more can be said about the Portuguese phenomenon? With 765 goals in 1020 appearances, he is simply one of the greatest players to grace the sport.

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The 10 Best Records Held by Cristiano Ronaldo [Ranked]
Ronaldo broke yet another record for Al-Nassr becoming the highest Saudi Pro League goalscorer in a single season

His incredible work ethic alongside his natural talent has seen him become a true icon of the game and if it wasn’t for arguably the best player of all time, he would certainly be number one on this list.

Cristiano Ronaldo's 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Real Madrid

403

417

109

Juventus

133

101

20

1 Lionel Messi

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Barcelona

One of - if not - the greatest of all time. The 2010s provided a player that people in years to come will be devastated they never got to see play in his prime. Lionel Messi could be listed as the most technically gifted footballer ever.

Earning his record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023, Messi’s honours list is quite simply astonishing. He has won everything possible in his career including, 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, the World Cup and Copa America with Argentina. A player who will leave a legacy in this sport for the rest of time, Messi will go down as the best player ever in the 2010s era.

Lionel Messi's 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Barcelona

517

507

234

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After Lionel Messi's eighth Ballon d'Or win, the 2024 award is up for grabs.

Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt (Accurate as of 31/05/24)

He has led Barcelona to ten La Liga titles [1] and four UEFA Champions League titles [1], and has scored over 700 goals in official matches.

Title:

Content: What Was Lionel Messi Known For?

News

What Was Lionel Messi Known For?

Lionel Messi, the Argentine football superstar, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Known for his exceptional skills, agility, and goal-scoring ability, Messi has left an indelible mark on the world of football. From his early days at FC Barcelona to his international success with the Argentine national team, Messi’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Early Career and Rise to Prominence
Born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, Messi showed immense talent from a young age. He joined the Barcelona youth academy, La Masia, at the age of 13, where he honed his skills and developed his unique playing style. Messi made his first-team debut for Barcelona in 2004, at the age of 17, and quickly became a key player for the club.

Playing Style and Skills
Messi is known for his exceptional dribbling ability, close ball control, and lightning-fast speed. His low center of gravity allows him to change direction quickly, leaving defenders in his wake. His vision and passing accuracy are also remarkable, enabling him to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. However, it is his goal-scoring prowess that truly sets him apart. Messi has an incredible ability to find the back of the net, often with stunning precision and creativity.

Records and Achievements
Throughout his career, Messi has shattered numerous records and achieved countless milestones. He has won numerous individual awards, including the prestigious FIFA Ballon d’Or, which he has claimed a record-breaking seven times. Messi has also led Barcelona to numerous domestic and international titles, including ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles.

FAQ

Q: What is Messi’s playing position?
A: Messi primarily plays as a forward or attacking midfielder, but his versatility allows him to excel in various positions on the field.

Q: Has Messi ever won the FIFA World Cup?
A: Despite his immense success at the club level, Messi has yet to win the FIFA World Cup with the Argentine national team. However, he has led Argentina to the finals in 2014 and has won several other international tournaments, including the Copa America.

Q: How many goals has Messi scored in his career?
A: As of 2021, Messi has scored over 700 goals in official matches for both club and country.

In conclusion, Lionel Messi is known for his exceptional skills, agility, and goal-scoring ability. His playing style, records, and achievements have solidified his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Whether it is his mesmerizing dribbles or his ability to find the back of the net, Messi’s impact on the sport will be remembered for generations to come.

Messi's playing style is characterized as exceptional, with a low center of gravity due to his small size, allowing him to have explosive pace and stable strength.

Title:

Content: Lionel Messi, Argentina ’ s soccer god, is willing to fill the gap of his career with three gold medals and successfully lead the national team to win the World Cup, once again establishing the status of the world ’ s greatest football player.
As for Macy's private life is very mysterious, low-key he rarely exposed in the community, his achievements also caused scientists to wonder, competing to study 169 centimeters of him, what is hidden in the body of the huge magic.
The legendary six-time Golden Globe winner has scored twice in this World Cup final against France, and scored a winning goal in the PK World War. Lionel Messi, nicknamed "Little Flea", suffered from dwarfism from a childhood growth hormone deficiency and thrived on the patronage of his Barcelona scout Carles Rexach. Up to 169 cm.
However, due to its small size, low center of gravity, the upper and lower limbs have a good balance, so that he has the explosive pace and more stable strength to break away from the enemy.
Physicists have pointed out that people with a lower center of gravity are able to move quickly after their body is moved, just as they are pushed and can quickly stand firm, on the same principle as the weight of the bottom of a building.
Further explain why Messi is still standing when he has a physical collision with his opponent, getting rid of a larger player to tackle the ball, combining the advantages of balance and agility, and can make the opponent dazzle on the field.
At his peak, Messi was able to reach 20 miles per hour and became the top 15 fastest football player in history.
Craig Friedman, a sports performance expert, said that explosiveness and strength are necessary, and that your ankles, hips and torso should be strong enough to effectively transmit power to the ground.
In addition, Messi's diet is also strictly controlled, 5 nutrients such as water, olive oil, whole wheat, fruit, vegetables based, traditional Argentine dishes are mainly meat, which will cause players to consume more cholesterol and fat.
Therefore, following the "Mediterranean diet" is key, and a large number of studies have pointed out that high protein, low carbon water is good for health, maintaining muscle strength and maintaining weight, as well as prolonging life expectancy.
As long as it is "plum powder" knows that in the past, Messi often vomited on the sidelines of half of the game, and at first the outside world thought that he could not withstand the pressure, and later revealed in an interview that it was caused by improper eating.
At that time, Macy said: "I have not had good food for a long time, chocolate, carbonated drinks everything." Then was strictly required to "eat natural", now he will use the national tea Mate tea instead of drinks, away from all kinds of sugar, because this is very bad for the muscles.
What makes Lionel Messi the 'GOAT'?
The science behind the soccer phenom
# Argentina # Champion # Hercules Cup # God of the Ball # King of the Ball

He is considered the most technically gifted footballer [2] and has a record-breaking number of trophies, with 44 major trophies since 2004.

Title:

Content: List of all 44 major trophies won by Lionel Messi since 2004

Lionel Messi

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Lionel Messi won his latest career trophy when he captained Inter Miami to cup glory over the weekend.

Messi officially has 44 titles in close to two decades, making him the most decorated footballer in history. His first trophy was back in 2004.

The Leagues Cup was his first trophy on American soil and comes just over a month since his arrival in South Florida.

Last year, the Argentine captain got his hands on the World Cup after several tries as his side defeated France in a tense final.

List of trophies Messi has won since 2004

a. 10 La Liga titles

b. Seven Copa Del Reys

c. Eight Spanish Super Cups

d. Three FIFA Club World Cups

e. Three UEFA Super Cups

f. The FIFA World Cup

g. The Finalissima

h. The Copa America

i. Olympic Gold

j. U20 World Cup

k. Two Ligue 1 titles and

l. One Trophée de Champions.

m. our Champions League wins

Goal.com report on Inter Miami final triumph

Inter Miami have added the first piece of silverware to their trophy cabinet. Just a few short weeks ago, that seemed almost unfathomable. The worst team in MLS taking down every opponent in their path on their way to a trophy? Come on!

A few short weeks ago, though, they didn't have Lionel Messi. They sure do now.

Messi was, unsurprisingly, the star of the show once again as Miami took down Nashville SC at Geodis Park, scoring a stunning goal to kickstart a match that finished 1-1 through 90 minutes. The goal was quintessential Messi: minimal space, a curling shot and no chance for the opposing goalkeeper.

A scrappy goal kept Nashville in the contest, but, even as the match went to penalties, there was no stopping Messi and co. It was a historically good shootout, too, as all 22 players took turns from the spot. Messi, of course, scored his as Miami's first taker, but it wasn't until Nashville SC goalkeeper Elliot Panicco saw his shot saved by Drake Callendar that Miami could celebrate their trophy.

Messi was once again the key to it all. There were few signature moments in the match, and Callendar will certainly go down as the hero, but Messi has done it again. New team, same result: trophy in hand.

SARA
Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Messi's skills and records compare favorably to other top footballers, including Cristiano Ronaldo, with whom he is often compared [2][4][6].

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Content: Lionel Messi, Argentina

The number one player on this list is obvious: the world’s biggest star, the game’s best talent for over 15 years now, and top three among the all-time greats. Messi’s dazzling skill for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain has earned four Champions Leagues, 11 domestic league titles across Spain and France, and a record seven Ballon D’Or trophies — soccer’s most famous player of the year award.

Last year, he finally lifted silverware with Argentina, delivering the country’s record-tying 15th Copa América. It was the nation’s first continental crown since 1993, and Messi was runner-up in 2007, 2015 and 2016. The last two came after a runner-up finish at the 2014 World Cup.

At age 35, Messi doesn’t have the speed he used to, but he has as much skill and guile as ever. And he has a stacked squad of Argentina teammates that complement him and bring their own firepower: Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan), Ángel Di María (Juventus), Rodrigo De Paul (Atlético Madrid), and a crown-jewel young prospect in Julián Álvarez (Manchester City).

They’re fired up, they’re hungry, and they’re on a 35-game winning streak dating back to 2019. If Argentina win it all, the triumph will be celebrated across the globe, and Messi will be enshrined above Pelé and Diego Maradona as the greatest of all time.

» READ MORE: Lionel Messi's Argentina beat Andre Blake's Jamaica in a World Cup warmup game

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal

He’s Messi’s longtime foil, among fans worldwide and for years in Spain. When Ronaldo was at Real Madrid and Messi was at Barcelona, the world stopped for two hours.

The debate was also fueled by their national team feats. Ronaldo has five European Cups to Messi’s four, and for five years he had the national team trophy that Messi didn’t: the 2016 European Championship.

As with any great sports rivalry, fans of one of the players often disdain the other. But Ronaldo, it must be said, is rather more disdainable. Yes, he’s got an outrageous career goals total, with 701 club goals in 949 games and 117 national team goals in 191 caps. And he’s got a body that seems to have been sculpted by the Greek gods, not just the soccer gods.

He’s also got an ego to match, and it rubs a lot of people the wrong way. He isn’t afraid to throw a public tantrum, as he did just a few days ago about his lack of playing time at Manchester United. And he stood accused for over a decade of committing a rape in 2009 in Las Vegas. A lawsuit about it was dismissed this past June.

Ronaldo is 37 now. This will be his last World Cup. Will he go out with a swan song, or with another combustion?

» READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo played against the Union with Real Madrid in 2011

Kylian Mbappé, France

France’s 2018 World Cup title launched a then-19-year-old Mbappé to superstardom. He’s still there, as the flagship player for his country and its biggest club, Paris Saint-Germain. In fact, he’s such a big deal that French president Emmanuel Macron reportedly asked Mbappé to turn down a move to Real Madrid this summer.

We’ll never know if it truly helped, because PSG -- which is owned by Qatari royals -- had the money to keep Mbappé. The club also gave Mbappé a lot of power off the field, and he has used it to build his business interests.

Now comes a new challenge: lifting his country to a second straight World Cup. There hasn’t been a repeat men’s champion since Pelé's Brazil in 1958 and 1962. France has the talent to do it, but also has locker-room friction that Mbappé has been part of. And history brings an omen: Les Bleus crashed out in 2002 after winning it all in 1998.

Sadio Mané, Senegal

Only three African teams in men’s World Cup history have reached the quarterfinals: Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010. This year’s Senegal squad has the talent to match them, and potentially go a step farther.

Nine months after winning the Africa Cup of Nations, the Lions of Teranga arrive in Qatar full of talent and optimism. Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy and centerback Kalidou Koulibaly are defensive rocks, while Bayern Munich’s Mané leads the attack.

Mané suffered a right fibula injury playing for Bayern on Nov. 8. He was named to the World Cup team, but he’s racing the clock to be fit. Whether he makes it is one of the tournament’s biggest on-field questions this week.

Bukayo Saka, England

England has its best chance in decades to win its first World Cup since 1966, and Saka is a big reason why. The 21-year-old from London is an electric winger for the Three Lions and Arsenal, and has one of both teams’ most engaging personalities.

Gavi, Spain

Just 18 years old, the Barcelona midfielder has jumped up the line of the world’s top young prospects. This year, he won two of Europe’s top awards for players under age 21: France Football’s Kopa Trophy (the same publication runs the Ballon D’Or), and the Golden Boy trophy organized by newspapers across the continent.

Gavi is already a regular player for his club and has 12 senior Spain caps. This World Cup could be his global breakout.

Jamal Musiala, Germany

Another of this World Cup’s big-time youngsters will face Gavi in the group stage. Musiala, 19, has rocketed to prominence with Bayern Munich and Germany this year. In just the half-season so far with Bayern, he has 12 goals and 10 assists in 22 games.

Not much is expected in Qatar of a German squad whose mix of ages isn’t quite right. But if Musiala takes off, he could take Die Mannschaft on a big run.

Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium

If you watch the English Premier League, you know that De Bruyne is the midfield maestro for powerhouse Manchester City. There are few more technically-gifted players on the planet, especially in his part of the field.

Four years ago, he helped the Red Devils to fourth place, the nation’s best World Cup finish. This year’s team has lots of talent, but De Bruyne is one of 11 players among the squad of 26 who’s age 30 or older. That’s a warning sign that a repeat run might not happen.

Vinícius Jr.

We’ve saved the best national team for last, or at least the world’s most famous one. No team has more World Cups than Brazil’s five, and the Seleçao are a big betting favorite to make it six this year. They have immense talent at every position, from defense up to the front line.

If you were expecting to see Neymar’s name here, that’s understandable. He’s Brazil’s biggest star of all, But Vinícius is a player you want to know about. He’s been ticketed for stardom since his childhood days in Rio de Janeiro, and he has lived up to the hype at Real Madrid.

Now age 22, he has 10 goals and 5 assists in 22 games this season, after scoring the winner in last season’s Champions League final. Many of his plays have gone straight onto highlight reels, accompanied by great dancing celebrations.

He has the highest number of goals in Europe's top five leagues, with 496 goals [6], and has won numerous awards, including the FIFA World Cup and Copa America with Argentina [1][3].

Messi's influence on the sport is significant, with many considering him one of the greatest footballers of all time [7].

He has been ranked as one of the top players in the world, with a fifth-place ranking in FIFA 23 ratings.

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Content: REVEALED: Karim Benzema edges out Lionel Messi to become the top-rated player on FIFA23, with FIVE players sharing the game's highest score... and there's 11 Premier League stars in the top 23

  • EA Sports have revealed the 23 highest-rated players in their new FIFA 23 game
  • Lionel Messi has been knocked off top spot for the first time in four years
  • Real Madrid's Karim Benzema is at the summit after his spectacular 2021-22
  • Cristiano Ronaldo is down in eighth, but 11 Premier League stars are included

EA Sports have revealed their 23 highest-rated players on FIFA 23 ahead of the popular video game's release later this month - with Real Madrid's Karim Benzema coming out on top.

Lionel Messi had been given the highest rating by EA Sports since their 2018 edition of the game, but this time around the Paris St-Germain superstar has to settle for fifth place behind Benzema, Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich), Kylian Mbappe (PSG) and Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City).

While all five of those players have received ratings of 91 on the game,  it is Benzema's overall statistics which leave him at the summit.

Karim Benzema has beaten Lionel Messi to top spot in the highly-anticipated FIFA 23 ratings

Messi has had to settle for fifth place behind Benzema despite receiving the same rating

Benzema's overall stats are superior to those of Messi's, meaning he sits above the PSG star

The Frenchman enjoyed a sensational 2021-22 campaign, scoring 10 goals in the knockout stages of the Champions League to help Madrid claim their 14th European crown.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who last beat Messi to top spot four years ago, has dropped from third to eighth with a rating of 90 despite scoring 24 goals in 38 games for Manchester United last season.

Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, who are also rated 90, sit ahead of the United forward in the rankings, although Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) and Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) are placed behind the Premier League trio with the same score.

Tottenham's Son Heung-min and Harry Kane, United's Casemiro, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson and Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante also feature in the top 23 with ratings of 89, while Erling Haaland makes it in on 88.

Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne has made it into the top five on the list

Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are the sixth and seventh highest rated

PSG's Neymar (89) and Marquinhos (88), Bayern Munich's Sadio Mane (89) and Joshua Kimmich (89), Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak (89) and Real Madrid's Toni Kroos (88) make up the rest of the top 23.

There are some notable omissions from the list, including Real trio Vinicius Jr, Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao, United's Bruno Fernandes, PSG's Gianluigi Donnarumma and Man City's Bernardo Silva.

FIFA 23, the latest instalment of EA Sports' popular franchise, will be available worldwide from September 30, with the game set to be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Stadia, PS4, and Xbox One.

The new game will include HyperMotion2 animation, kinetic goalkeeper vs header battles and more gameplay features.

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FIF 23 ratings see Karim Benzema edge out Lionel Messi to become top-rated player in new game

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Overall, Messi's achievements, playing style, and influence on the sport make a strong case for him being considered the number one football player in the world [1][2][3][6].