Summary
- Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas recently revealed to Bloomberg that Lionel Messi earns between $70 million and $80 million USD annually across all aspects of his deal
- While Messi’s guaranteed MLS compensation is roughly $20.4 million USD, his total earnings skyrocket thanks to revenue-sharing agreements with Apple and Adidas, plus a clause to become a club co-owner after retirement
- To afford the massive payout, Mas emphasized the necessity of world-class sponsorships, noting that commercial contracts make up approximately 55% of the club’s revenue
The true scale of Lionel Messi‘s groundbreaking move to Major League Soccer continues to come into focus. According to ESPN, Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas pulled back the curtain on the financial realities of employing the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, revealing that the Argentine forward earns a staggering $70 million to $80 million USD per year. The astronomical figure solidifies Messi’s status not just as the highest-paid player in the league, but as a central pillar of Inter Miami’s aggressive global business model.
According to the MLS Players Association, Messi’s official base salary is relatively modest by global superstar standards, standing at $12 million USD with a guaranteed compensation of roughly $20.4 million USD. However, the true value of his contract is heavily padded by unprecedented supplementary revenue streams. Mas confirmed that the $80 million USD upper limit accounts for everything, including lucrative revenue-sharing partnerships with MLS broadcast partner Apple and sportswear giant adidas. Most notably, the agreement features a clause that will allow Messi to become a co-owner of the franchise once he hangs up his boots.
Footing the bill for arguably the greatest player in the history of the sport requires a highly strategic financial approach. During the interview, Mas emphasized exactly how Inter Miami manages such a massive overhead, “The reason that I need to have sponsors and for them to be world-class is because players are expensive. I pay Messi—worth every penny—but it’s $70 million USD to $80 million USD a year. Across everything.”
To maintain this ambitious financial structure, the club relies heavily on its commercial partnerships rather than traditional broadcasting deals. Mas noted that sponsorships and commercial contracts generate approximately 55% of Inter Miami’s total revenues, while television rights account for just about 2%. With Messi recently signing a contract extension this past October that will keep him with the Herons through the 2028 season—allowing him to play until he is 40—the franchise’s pursuit of top-tier global sponsors is clearly designed for the long haul.
