Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, Major League Soccer, MLS, Football
Alex Brotherton
Topics: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, Major League Soccer, MLS, Football
Lionel Messi has earned an absolute fortune since he joined Inter Miami last summer.
Major League Soccer side Inter Miami sent shockwaves through the world of football in 2023 when they announced the signing of Messi.
The Argentine superstar spent two years at Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Barcelona in 2021, but he decided against staying at the French club.
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After months of speculation, Messi joined David Beckham's side to become the biggest signing in MLS history.
Within a month of making his debut, Messi led Miami to victory in the Leagues Cup, the club's first every title.
Miami failed to make the play-offs last season, but this term they are currently top of the Eastern Conference with 15 points from nine games.
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As is to be expected, Messi became the highest earner in MLS when he joined Miami.
But, considering what other players in the league earn, he is taking home a staggering salary.
Last October, the MLS Players Association shared information on player wages as part pf a collective bargaining agreement.
The data showed that Messi earns a base salary of $12 million per season, but he is also entitled to an extra $8.4 million in signing-on fees and bonuses.
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On top of that, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner earns a stunning amount from unique arrangements he has with Adidas and Apple. He takes a cut of the money earned from Adidas shirt sales - the technical partner of MLS - and the league's lucrative Apple TV broadcast deal.
Those agreements take Messi's yearly earnings to between $50 million and $60 million, as Inter co-owner Jorge Mas told El Pais when Messi signed.
According to those figures, Messi earns between $960,000 and $1.15m a week, and having joined the club on July 16, 2023, he has been in Florida for just over 39 weeks.
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Therefore, since joining Inter Miami Messi has earned somewhere between $36m and $45m through salary, bonuses and commercial arrangements.
Messi is by far the highest earner in MLS when only his $20.4m salary and bonuses are considered.