Lionel Messi’s record-breaking $20.45 million annual salary from Inter Miami not only makes him the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer (MLS), but also surpasses the total payroll of 25 out of the league’s 29 teams, according to data released by the MLS Players Association on Thursday.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner receives a guaranteed compensation of $20,446,667, which includes a base salary of $12 million plus various bonuses. This staggering figure highlights the significant disparity between Messi and other players in the league.
The released figures do not account for the substantial income Messi earns through commercial deals, endorsements, and sponsorships from companies such as Adidas and Apple.
Messi’s financial dominance in MLS contrasts sharply with his past earnings. In his last contract with Barcelona, signed in 2017, Messi had the potential to earn up to 138 million euros per season, including salary and add-ons.
Following his move to Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021, Messi was reported to be earning between 30-35 million euros annually with the French club.
At 36, Messi joined Inter Miami in July last year on a contract running until the end of the 2025 season. Despite his current engagement, he might still be receiving deferred salary payments from Barcelona, as confirmed by Barca president Joan Laporta in January 2022.
Prior to Messi’s arrival, Toronto’s Italian striker Lorenzo Insigne was MLS’s highest-paid player, earning a guaranteed $15.4 million from the Canadian club. Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, Sergio Busquets, is now the league’s third top earner with a guaranteed $8.8 million salary. Other notable salaries at Inter Miami include Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez and Spanish full-back Jordi Alba, each earning $1.5 million per year.
Inter Miami’s total wage bill amounts to $41.68 million, with Toronto FC following at $31.41 million. In contrast, the reigning league champions, Columbus Crew, have a total salary cost of $15.19 million, placing them 21st in the league.
Messi’s teammates, however, earn significantly less. For instance, defender Noah Allen, a regular in the matchday squad, has a total salary of $91,383. The average MLS salary in 2024 is $594,390, marking a 12.1% increase from last year.
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Miami’s ability to afford Messi’s high salary is facilitated by the ‘Designated Player’ rule, introduced to allow clubs to sign marquee players like David Beckham, who joined LA Galaxy in 2007 with a base salary of $6.5 million per year and a total deal worth around $50 million over five years.
While Messi’s earnings are astronomical by MLS standards, they remain modest compared to top performers in other major U.S. sports.
For instance, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow signed a five-year deal worth $55 million per season last year, and the NBA’s highest earner, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, makes $51.9 million annually.
