Inter Miami's Lionel Messi earns more than 22 other MLS teams' payrolls

The 37-year-old is one of the highest-paying players in the league.

At Inter Miami CF, Lionel Messi earns more than the 22 clubs of the 28 Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs. The 37-year-old receives $20,446,667 in guaranteed salary. Earlier this week, the Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA) released the figures. Partnership payments are not included in guaranteed remuneration.

Olivier Giroud, on the other hand, signed a contract with Los Angeles FC in July that includes $3,675,000 in yearly total salary.

Messi’s $12 million basic pay and $20.4 million total compensation from Inter Miami were unchanged from the original listing in May, according to the Major League Soccer Players Association’s salary update, which was posted on Thursday.

These numbers include any marketing bonuses and agent fees, as well as Messi’s earnings from his MLS contract, which expires in 2025. They do not take into consideration any performance bonuses or other contracts with the team or its affiliates.

Messi receives a share of the league’s agreement with Apple TV, which is estimated to generate the Argentinean player over $50 million.

With a record payroll of $41.7 million, Messi’s Miami, the league’s regular-season Supporters Shield champion, lead all other teams, Toronto ($31.8 million), Los Angeles FC ($22.1 million), the LA Galaxy ($22 million), and Nashville ($21.9 million). Messi was surpassed by players in Cincinnati ($21 million) and Houston ($20.5 million). The lowest payrolls were of Colorado ($14.4m), Philadelphia ($13.8m), and Montreal ($11.4m).

With a salary of $8.5 million, Messi’s colleague Sergio Busquets is second in the league and receives $8.8 million in total remuneration. Lorenzo Insigne, a winger for Toronto, earns $15.4 million in total pay, including a $7.5 million salary.

Even if they didn’t play, several athletes were nonetheless paid well. Jozy Altidore, a former New England forward, was valued at $1.7 million in salary and $2.2 million in total compensation when he was listed as an MLS pool player.

Michael Bradley, the former captain of the United States MNT, was listed as retired with $725,000 in total earnings. Bradley last played in Major League Soccer in 2023.

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