The MLS Players Association has disclosed that Lionel Messi earns a league-high $20.4 million (£16.6 million) annually from Inter Miami.
The 36-year-old left Paris Saint-Germain in the summer and signed a two-and-a-half-year contract to join the team David Beckham co-owns in Miami.
Messi had an immediate influence in Florida, and his inclusion into the squad and his 10 goals in only seven games were directly responsible for the team’s Leagues Cup victory. Miami not only won their first-ever trophy, but they also advanced to the US Open Cup final. Despite this, they lost to Houston Dynamo because Messi was unable to play due to injury.
Due to Messi’s extended absence, Miami also failed to advance to the postseason, and as a result, they will have to content themselves with watching the competition between 18 teams for the 2023 MLS Cup.
But when it comes to base pay, Miami is in first place in the MLS. According to a press statement from the MLS Players Association (MLSPA), Messi receives a base salary of $12 million along with a guaranteed bonus of $8.4 million.
Messi’s earnings go well beyond the $50 million mark thanks to various business ventures and endorsements; this number only represents his income.
The second and third best paid players in the MLS are Lorenzo Insigne and Xherdan Shaqiri, though the latter earns less than half of what Messi makes in Miami. The top five players include Chicharito, who has played for Manchester United, and Federico Bernardeschi, who has played for Juventus.
MLSPA: 10 highest paid players
Player | Club | Base Salary | Guaranteed Money |
|---|---|---|---|
Lionel Messi | Inter Miami | $12m | $20.4m |
Lorenzo Insigne | Toronto FC | $7.5m | $15.4m |
Xherdan Shaqiri | Chicago Fire | $7.3m | $8.1m |
Chicharito | LA Galaxy | $6m | $7.4m |
Federico Bernardeschi | Toronto FC | $3.1m | $6.2m |
Sebastian Driussi | Austin FC | $3.8m | $6m |
Hector Herrera | Houston Dynamo | $4.75m | $5.2m |
Douglas Costa | LA Galaxy | $3m | $4.5m |
Christian Benteke | DC United | $4.4m | $4.4m |
Josef Martinez | Inter Miami | $4m | $4.3m |
Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, Messi’s former Barcelona teammates, earn much less money now that they are at the end of their careers, but they are still earning respectable salaries from the Herons.
Busquets receives a basic salary of $1.5 million, with an additional $1.75 million in guaranteed remuneration, compared to Alba’s $1 million income, which is increased to $1.25 million.
Teemu Pukki, a former Norwich City striker who left Carrow Road to join Minnesota United FC, earns a respectable $3.2M base pay and just over $3.5M in guaranteed income in his new home.