Record-Breaking Lionel Messi Leads MLS Compensation With $20 Million Deal

Lionel Messi's guaranteed annual compensation with Inter Miami is $20.4 million, the highest in MLS history.
With a $12 million base salary, his total earnings including licensing could reach $50-60 million per year.
Messi's presence has led to increased attendance, social media engagement, and global interest in Inter Miami and MLS.
At $39.4 million, Miami now has the highest total payroll in MLS, with Messi accounting for over 50% of it.
Messi's salary eclipses the total payroll of 25 MLS clubs and is more than double the entire Orlando City roster.