Barcelona and Argentina star Messi dethroned retired boxer Floyd Mayweather as the sports world's highest earner, raking in $127 million via salary and endorsement deals.
The double 800m Olympic champion, who was racing for the first time since a controversial new gender ruling came into effect, finished in 5min 38.19sec ahead of Ethiopian pair Hawi Feysa and Adanech Anbesa.
Messi, who scored 36 goals while leading Barcelona to the La Liga title this year, earned $127 million (£100 million) between his salary and endorsements to move up one spot on the list of the world’s 100 highest-paid athletes.
The marathon, which takes place on 15 September, was currently the only IAAF Gold Label status marathon in Africa.
India captain Virat Kohli and Australia skipper Aaron Finch joined forces to condemn the "unfair" problem on Sunday.
Another calamitous show with the bat in Cardiff on Saturday and South Africa’s Cricket World Cup campaign will be over.
After being sent in to bat under heavy skies, South Africa laboured to 29 for two from 7.3 overs before persistent rain throughout the day ensured there would be no more play.
She has, at this stage, not been entered for races of distances not covered by the IAAF rules, having won the 5,000 metres national title this year.
Eleven of the 24 countries that will compete at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt from June 21 to July 19 have announced their 23-man squads:
Aguero played his part in memorable triumphs for his country at youth level, twice winning the under-20 World Cup as well as claiming an Olympic gold medal alongside Messi at the 2008 Beijing Games.
