The MLS Players Association revealed on Wednesday that Lionel Messi’s annualized salary under his Major League Soccer deal with Inter Miami is slightly over $20.4 million.
Messi makes twice as much as the whole payroll of Orlando City and more than all but three other MLS teams combined.
According to the players association’s 2023 salary update, the 36-year-old superstar earns a $12 million basic salary and $20,446,667 in total guaranteed compensation.
These sums include Messi’s share of any marketing bonuses and agent costs. Messi’s MLS contract runs until the 2025 season. Any extra contracts made with the team or its affiliates, as well as any performance bonuses, are not taken into account.
He receives the highest overall income in MLS, followed by Lorenzo Insigne of Toronto ($15.4 million), Xherdan Shaqiri of Chicago ($8,153,000), Javier Hernández of the LA Galaxy ($7,443,750), Federico Bernardeschi of Toronto ($6,295,381), and Sebastián Driussi of Austin ($6,022,500).
Based on total guaranteed salary, Miami leads the league with a $39.4 million payroll, followed by Toronto ($32.3 million), the Los Angeles Galaxy ($25 million), and LAFC ($20.8 million).
Messi makes more than twice as much money as Orlando City, which has the lowest salary in the league at $9.6 million. He represents 4% of the $501.9 million in total salary received by MLS.
Messi has five appearances for Miami, three league starts, and a total of 283 minutes and one goal. Having scored 10 goals in seven games, he also contributed to the team’s victory in the first Leagues Cup.
With a salary of $4,391,667, Josef Martnez is Miami’s second-highest paid player.
Messi’s former Barcelona colleagues who moved to Miami with him are receiving far less. Sergio Busquets, a midfielder, earns $1.5 million annually and is guaranteed $1,775,000, while Jordi Alba, a defender, earns $1 million annually and is assured $1.25 million.
Other notable MLS midsummer signings included forwards Sam Surridge of Nashville ($2.5 million, $2,907,639), Diego Rossi of Columbus ($2,625,000, $2,677,000), Teemu Pukki of Minnesota ($3.2 million salary and $3.55 million in total compensation), and Saba Lobzhanidze of Atlanta ($2,052,000, $2,150,750).