Lionel Messi’s Earnings Eclipse Entire MLS Rosters

Messi’s annual earnings surpass the combined salaries of numerous MLS teams, while Olivier Giroud’s LAFC salary highlights new player contracts.

MLS Salary Report Unveils Messi’s Financial Influence, With Miami Leading in Payroll Expenditure

The Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA) recently released its annual salary update, revealing a striking disparity in player earnings. Lionel Messi’s compensation not only exceeds the total payrolls of most Major League Soccer (MLS) teams but also reshapes the league’s financial landscape. With a $12 million base salary and total compensation of $20.4 million, Messi’s influence and market value since joining Inter Miami have been unmatched.

Messi’s Record-Breaking News Earnings and Revenue Streams

Messi’s contract binds him to Inter Miami through 2025 and includes various incentives, such as marketing bonuses and agent fees, in addition to his substantial MLS deal. Messi’s agreement also secures him a share of the league’s Apple TV deal, reportedly worth an additional $50 million. However, these figures cover only his MLS compensation and exclude any side agreements with Inter Miami affiliates or performance-based bonuses.

Messi’s arrival has been transformative for both Inter Miami and MLS as a whole. His influence has driven Inter Miami to capture the Supporters’ Shield and spurred significant increases in fan engagement and media coverage. With a record payroll of $41.7 million, Miami outspends the league average more than twofold, with only a few clubs—Toronto ($31.8 million), Los Angeles FC ($22.1 million), the LA Galaxy ($22 million), and Nashville ($21.9 million)—coming close to this figure.

Olivier Giroud Joins MLS with LAFC in Lucrative Deal

In July, Olivier Giroud joined Los Angeles FC, bringing in an annualized compensation of $3.675 million. Giroud’s arrival highlights MLS’s commitment to attracting top international talent and balancing high-profile players like Messi with seasoned veterans from around the globe. His contract underscores LAFC’s competitive stance while managing a lower payroll than Miami’s or Toronto’s.

League’s Salary Landscape: Notable Contracts and Rising Trends

Messi’s teammate, Sergio Busquets, ranks second in the league with an $8.5 million salary and $8.8 million total compensation. Toronto FC winger Lorenzo Insigne also stands out with a $7.5 million salary and $15.4 million total compensation, reflecting MLS’s growing appeal for European players in the latter stages of their careers.

Interestingly, former high-profile players, even those no longer actively playing, continue to command significant earnings. Jozy Altidore, a retired New England forward, earns $1.7 million in salary and a total compensation of $2.2 million as an MLS pool player, a designation allowing teams to access players outside the regular salary cap. Former USMNT captain Michael Bradley also receives $725,000 in retirement compensation.

MLS Salaries on the Rise

MLS salaries continue to increase alongside the league’s popularity, with average guaranteed compensation rising by 9.7% over the past year. The median salary now sits at $308,375, reflecting MLS’s strategic push to attract global talent through competitive pay and elevate the league’s appeal on the global stage.

With Messi setting new benchmarks and bringing unprecedented global attention to MLS, the league’s financial landscape is undergoing transformative changes, establishing itself as a top destination for international talent.