Lionel Messi's annualized compensation under his Major League Soccer (MLS) contract with Inter Miami surpasses $20.4 million, as disclosed by the MLS Players Association.
Messi's earnings exceed the entire payroll of all but three other MLS teams and are twice the combined earnings of all players at Orlando City.
The 36-year-old football superstar commands a $12 million base salary and a total guaranteed compensation of $20,446,667, according to the players' association's 2023 salary update. These figures encompass what Messi receives from his MLS deal, which extends through the 2025 season, encompassing marketing bonuses and agent fees. They do not include any supplementary agreements with the team or its affiliates or any performance-related bonuses.
Messi holds the highest total compensation in MLS, followed by Toronto's Lorenzo Insigne at $15.4 million, Chicago's Xherdan Shaqiri at $8,153,000, LA Galaxy's Javier Hernández at $7,443,750, Toronto's Federico Bernardeschi at $6,295,381, and Austin's Sebastián Driussi at $6,022,500.
Inter Miami leads the league with a $39.4 million payroll based on total guaranteed compensation, followed by Toronto at $32.3 million, LA Galaxy at $25 million, and LAFC at $20.8 million.
Messi's earnings significantly outpace the $9.6 million payroll of Orlando City, which possesses the league's lowest payroll. He accounts for 4% of MLS's total compensation, which amounts to $501.9 million.
During his time with Miami, Messi has made three league starts and five appearances, accumulating 283 minutes and scoring one goal. He also contributed to the team's victory in the inaugural Leagues Cup by scoring 10 goals in seven matches.
The second-highest-compensated player for Miami is Josef Martínez, earning $4,391,667.
Two of Messi's former Barcelona teammates, who joined him in Miami, receive substantially lower compensation. Midfielder Sergio Busquets has a $1.5 million salary and $1,775,000 in guaranteed compensation, while defender Jordi Alba has a $1 million salary and $1.25 million in guaranteed compensation.
Among other noteworthy midseason acquisitions in MLS were Minnesota forward Teemu Pukki ($3.2 million salary and $3.55 million in total compensation), Nashville forward Sam Surridge ($2.5 million, $2,907,639), Columbus forward Diego Rossi ($2,625,000, $2,677,000), and Atlanta midfielder Saba Lobzhanidze ($2,052,000, $2,150,750).
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