Lionel Messi’s staggering annual salary of $20.45 million from Inter Miami not only makes him the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer (MLS) but also surpasses the entire squads of 25 other teams in the league, according to data released by the MLS Players Association.
Messi’s compensation includes a base salary of $12 million along with various bonuses, making him a standout figure in MLS.
It’s worth noting that these figures do not incorporate Messi’s additional income from lucrative commercial deals and sponsorships with companies like Adidas and Apple.
Previously, Messi’s earnings were substantially higher during his time at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
His last contract with Barcelona in 2017 offered him the potential to earn €138 million per season, including salary and add-ons.
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After moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, he was reportedly earning between €30-35 million with the French club.
Despite joining Inter Miami in July 2021, Messi may still be receiving deferred payments from Barcelona until 2025, as indicated by Barcelona president Joan Laporta in January 2022.
In MLS, Messi is followed by Toronto’s Italian striker Lorenzo Insigne, who was previously the highest-paid player until Messi’s arrival, with a guaranteed income of $15.4 million.
Meanwhile, Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets ranks third in the league with a guaranteed income of $8.8 million.
While Messi’s salary stands out in MLS, it remains below the earnings of top performers in other major American sports leagues.
For instance, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow signed a five-year deal worth $55 million per season in the NFL, while NBA’s top earner Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors makes $51.9 million annually.
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