Lionel Messi’s annual pay from his Major League Soccer contract with Inter Miami exceeds $20.4 million, making him one of the highest-paid players in the league. Messi, who joined Inter Miami last summer, has a base salary of $10.4 million and annualized compensation of $20,446,667. These figures do not include any additional agreements or performance bonuses. Miami leads the league with a $41.7 million payroll, with Messi’s teammates including Sergio Busquets, Luis Suárez, and Jordi Alba.
St. Louis has the lowest payroll among the 29 teams in the MLS, at $12 million, with Salt Lake and San Jose close behind at $13.6 million each. Other teams, such as the LA Galaxy and Atlanta, have cut their payrolls in recent years. Toronto’s Lorenzo Insigne is second in compensation at $15.4 million, followed by players like Xherdan Shaqiri, Sebastián Driussi, and Federico Bernardeschi. Newcomers to the league include Hugo Cuypers and Hugo Lloris.
The average base salary for senior roster players in the MLS is $513,075, up 8.4% from the previous year. Total guaranteed compensation averages $594,389. Total compensation for all signed players in the league has increased significantly over the past few seasons. U.S. national team players in the MLS, such as Walker Zimmerman, Jesús Ferreira, and Jordan Morris, have total compensation figures ranging from $898,750 to $3,456,979.
Lionel Messi recently expressed frustration at a new MLS rule during Inter Miami’s match against Montreal. The rule, which affects designated players, may have impacted Messi’s performance or his ability to contribute to the team. Despite this, Messi has scored 10 goals this season, just one short of the MLS lead. His presence in the league has undoubtedly boosted the profile and competitiveness of Inter Miami.
The MLS Players Association released the salary figures for the league, showing that total compensation for signed players has increased significantly over the years. Teams like Toronto, Nashville, and Chicago have high payrolls, while others have made cuts to their budgets. The presence of high-profile players like Messi and Insigne has elevated the status of the league and drawn attention from fans and media alike.
Overall, the MLS continues to grow and evolve as a competitive soccer league in the United States. With top-tier players like Lionel Messi joining teams and increasing the salary average, the league’s profile has been raised on a global scale. As more international players and U.S. national team members join the league, the level of play and competitiveness is likely to continue to rise, making the MLS a more prominent destination for soccer talent.
