Inter Miami co-owner reveals how Lionel Messi makes $80m per year
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The Argentine star’s arrival has changed the landscape of MLS.
Lionel Messi, who joined in the summer of 2023 and most recently extended his stay through 2028, continues to be the league’s highest-paid player ever. Although the MLS Players Association has made his base salary and guaranteed compensation public, his entire package includes multiple revenue streams. It has made the seasoned player a true partner to not only the team but the entire league he plays for.
Inter Miami co-owner explains why Messi makes massive sum
Jorge Mas underlined that such exorbitant expenses require “world-class” sponsorship arrangements in order to balance the books. Mas told Bloomberg in a recent interview:
“The reason that I need to have sponsors and for them to be world-class is that players are expensive. I pay Messi – worth every penny – but it’s $70m to $80m a year. Across everything.”
The $20,446,667 in guaranteed compensation—which includes a $12 million base salary—officially recorded by the MLSPA is much less than this sum. Lionel Messi’s special ownership stake in the team and his rich side deals, which have set the model for upcoming superstar arrivals in the US, explain the disparity. Lionel Messi’s financial empire in Miami is supported by league-wide agreements in addition to the club’s direct contributions.
The Argentine player gains from a historic revenue-sharing arrangement with Apple, the league’s main television partner, as well as a significant endorsement contract with Adidas. This multipronged strategy guarantees that, even though Miami bear a large share of the responsibility, the American soccer ecosystem as a whole helps to maintain its largest-ever economic and athletic asset.
How Lionel Messi has changed the trajectory of Inter Miami?
Lionel Messi’s signing was the product of years of careful planning on the part of the Inter Miami management, not an accident. As early as 2021, the club’s president of business operations, Xavier Asensi, disclosed that the company was making a shift toward this point.
For an event that a player of Lionel Messi’s legendary calibre joins the team, the club even drafted sponsorship contracts with special provisions that would automatically activate.
Inter Miami are now valued at $1.45 billion due to the quick returns on the investment in Messi. They are now the most valuable team in MLS history, thanks to a one-year gain in value of 22%. Asensi understands that although marketing is important, the financial development is inextricably related to the trophies Messi has won.
It includes the Supporters’ Shield, MLS Cup and the Leagues Cup, as well as qualifying for the redesigned Club World Cup. Meanwhile, the team gets ready to move into its new Nu Stadium home next month.
How much does Messi make weekly?
It’s around $1.3 million to $1.5 million per week.
What other things are added to his salary?
Bonuses and ownership shares.
Who are helping Inter Miami pay for Messi?
Apple and Adidas have stepped up to have Messi in MLS.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.