According to recent statistics, superstar Lionel Messi is making a lot of money at Inter Miami, possibly more than the basic salary of some MLS teams, when the full cost of acquiring the Argentina captain has been revealed.
The 7-time Ballon d’Or winner has completed a move to the US to play in the summer of 2023 when he becomes a free agent after his contract with PSG expires. Legend of Man United and England, David Beckham – who is currently co-owner of Inter Miami – made that deal after 10 years of working behind the scenes.
Messi immediately made an impact in the US, helping Inter Miami win the Leagues Cup for the first time in history, and ending the 2023 campaign with 11 goals in 14 appearances. The Argentine superstar has attracted A-list players to MLS and domestic cup competitions, while ticket prices skyrocket every time he takes the field.
Messi’s influence is huge, helping to generate a lot of revenue for the team and the tournament, and at the same time, this individual player is also generously rewarded financially. The 2023 MLS salary report revealed that the greatest player of all time earns a base salary of $12 million, with a guaranteed bonus of more than $20 million.
This level of treatment makes him the highest-paid player in the American professional league, and is also said to have earned up to 60 million USD from contracts with MLS and Apple TV. In total, the 36-year-old could have earned around $135 million, much higher than the base salary of some teams in MLS.
Previously, the World Cup champion affirmed that he rejected generous offers from Saudi Arabia and did not move to the US for money. When he first arrived in Florida, Messi once declared: “We thought about it, my wife and my 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren also decided. I just came to play and enjoy football, that’s it.” what I love. Above all, I chose Inter Miami because of that and I’m very happy with the decision we made.”
Currently, there are only 4 teams in MLS, Inter Miami, Toronto FC, LA Galaxy and LAFC, with a total base salary greater than the amount Messi himself has earned since coming to the US to play.
