MLS salaries: Lionel Messi top earner - Inter Miami CF ahead of Toronto FC
Lonel Messi is the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer history, with an annual guaranteed compensation of $20.5 million. The figure was revealed as part of the MLSPA salary guide, which was published on Wednesday. The list includes all players under contract as of September 15.
While the annual guaranteed compensation includes marketing bonuses and any agent fees, it doesn’t include performance bonuses as there is no guarantee that the player will hit those bonuses. With that in mind, Messi’s salary is likely considerably higher than what has been revealed by the MLSPA. Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas, in fact, told El País that Messi’s salary, which includes a cut from the Apple TV deal, was in the $50-60m range. Messi has also reportedly signed sponsorship deals with Fanatics and Adidas, which are not listed as part of the guaranteed compensation.
Messi’s salary also means that Inter Miami CF now lead the league in guaranteed compensation. According to The Athletic, the Beckham-owned club now ranks first with $39.4m in salary, ahead of previous leaders Toronto FC ($32.3m) and the Los Angeles Galaxy ($25m). The top five are rounded out with LAFC ($20.8m) and the Chicago Fire ($20.4m). Of those five clubs, only Los Angeles FC are guaranteed to reach the playoffs with one match remaining in the regular season.
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