While entire Major League Soccer teams are underpaid compared to Messi’s record $20.4 million salary

According to statistics provided on Thursday by the MLS Players Association, Lionel Messi is the highest paid player in Major League Soccer with a record $20.45 million a year from Inter Miami. This puts him ahead of the whole rosters of 25 clubs in the league.

Although it was expected to see the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner at the top of the league’s regularly released salary data, the disparity with other players and teams is noticeable.

A base salary of $12 million plus different bonuses brings Messi’s guaranteed remuneration to $20,446,667.

Argentine World Cup champion obtains substantial money from commercial partnerships, endorsements, and sponsorships from firms like Adidas and Apple, which is not included in the data from the players’ union.

Barcelona, Messi’s former club, offered him a four-year contract in 2017 with a total annual salary and add-ons potential earnings of 138 million euros.

Upon the expiration of his contract with Barcelona in August 2021, Messi reportedly earned thirty to thirty-five million euros per year with Paris Saint-Germain.

The 36-year-old may still be receiving compensation from Barcelona despite joining Miami last July on a deal that runs until the end of the 2025 season.

According to Joan Laporta, president of Barça, the player’s salary was supposed to be postponed until 2025 in January 2022.

With a guaranteed income of $15.4 million from the Canadian club, Toronto’s Italian striker Lorenzo Insigne ranked second on the list. Prior to Messi’s arrival, Insigne was the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer.

Former Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets, who plays for Messi’s Spanish team, is the third highest earner with $8.8 million guaranteed. Busquets is 35 years old.

The Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez and the Spanish fullback Jordi Alba, who were both players for Barcelona, make $1.5 million annually for the Miami Heat.