Lionel Messi tops MLS salary list ahead of Lorenzo Insigne and Sergio Busquets with Inter Miami payroll now biggest in league history

  • Messi and Busquets dominate Miami’s wage bill
  • Suarez and Alba on low sums in comparison
  • Worth of Messi’s deal overall is astronomical

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Inter Miami and Argentina superstar rakes in $20.45 million (£25.8m) in total guaranteed compensation per year, according to data released by the MLS Players Association. Messi’s team-mate Sergio Busquets is third on the list with a salary of $8.77m (£6.9m), behind Toronto forward Lorenzo Insigne in second with guaranteed compensation of $15.44m (£12m). Busquets and Messi account for a whopping 70% of Inter Miami’s total wage bill, a bill which is an MLS record. Fellow foreign stars Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba are said to be on $1.5m (£1.1m) apiece, a very low total compared to their previous deals in Europe.

Lionel Messi Inter Miami 2024

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Inter Miami’s current wage bill reportedly stands at $41.7m (£32m), which is more than double that of every team in MLS bar Toronto FC ($31.4m/£24.7m), Chicago Fire ($25.1m/£19.8m) and Nashville SC ($21.4m/£16.8m). Amazingly, MLS Cup holders Columbus Crew rank 21st with a payroll of just $15.19m (£11.9m).

DID YOU KNOW?

Messi’s above number does not include all his other endorsements, such as the mega-money deals with Adidas, Fanatics, Apple and other MLS partners. If you include his equity stake in Inter Miami, the 36-year-old’s two-and-a-half year deal in Florida is worth around $125-150m (£98m-11m).

Lionel Messi Argentina Netherlands 2022

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

Messi has been on fire in Miami this season, scoring nine goals and tallying 10 assists in MLS action. However, he will soon leave a gaping hole in the Herons’ attack when he joins up with Argentina for the Copa America, beginning with a warm-up friendly against Ecuador on June 9.