Lionel Messi's salary at Inter Miami has been revealed by the club's co-chairman Jorge Mas and it is as staggering as you would think.
Messi opted for a move to the United States last month when his contract at Paris Saint-Germain expired with approaches from former side FC Barcelona and Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal failing to materialise.
The Argentine is still yet to make his Major League Soccer debut after finishing the European season, playing a friendly for his World Cup-winning national team where he scored a fastest career goal against Australia, and featuring in a pair of testimonials at the stadiums of Newell's Old Boys and Boca Juniors.
However, billionaire Mas, who co-owns the Herons alongside David Beckham and is the chairman and largest shareholder of Miami-based construction and engineering company MasTec, has opened up on how much the Florida club will be paying the football superstar.
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It is understood that the 36-year-old will earn 'between $50million and $60million per year.'
"I spent three years on it, a year and a half very intensely," Mas explained, in regard to chasing Messi. "There were many conversations with [Messi's father and agent] Jorge. David [Beckham] talked to Leo, only about football issues, because he was a player.
"I saw it done at the end of May. I didn't want him to feel under pressure. We spoke in Barcelona, Miami, Rosario, Doha... I spent the whole World Cup in Qatar, watching Argentina.
"The Apple contract was very important to close the deal," Mas said, referring to the 10-year, $2.5 billion deal the technology giant penned with the MLS in February.
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Alhough Inter Miami's pay packet is significantly inferior in comparison to the reported €500 million a year offer Al-Hilal tabled, Messi could still return to the top of Forbes' list of the World's Highest-Paid Athletes in 2024 with help from his other endorsements and fresh partnerships deals acquired in the U.S.
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In May, Messi was pipped to the top spot on Forbes' list by generational rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who earned a total $136 million compared with his $130 million.
Since Messi joined Miami, though, ESPN reported he is set to receive a cut of revenue from Apple's Live Pass for MLS fans when subscriptions take an expected boost thanks to his presence in the league.
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The Independent also explained that sources told them the MLS's sponsor and Messi's, Adidas, was looking into a profit-sharing agreement with the player.
Mas also believes that the World Cup winner "can turn MLS into one of the two or three biggest leagues in the world."
"I think he comes with the desire to leave his mark, and he will be able to do so beyond football," the billionaire added.
"When he retires he will have a stake in the club," Mas further revealed, imagining "a life after football" for the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner "very similar" to that of Beckham or Michael Jordan.
Featured Image Credit: Getty ImagesTopics: Inter Miami, Lionel Messi, MLS, Football
