Lionel Messi earns up to $80 million yearly as Inter Miami investment continues to grow

Inter Miami CF continues to invest heavily in its biggest star, with owner Jorge Mas revealing that Lionel Messi earns between $70 million and $80 million each year through his overall deal with the club.

Messi’s official salary listed by the MLS Players Association is about $20.45 million in guaranteed pay, the highest in Major League Soccer. However, his full earnings are much higher because his agreement also includes a share in the ownership of Inter Miami along with several commercial partnerships connected to the league.

Mas explained the scale of the investment while speaking about the club’s finances. “I pay Messi, worth every penny, but it’s $70 million to $80 million a year,” he said.

Messi, now 38, extended his contract with Inter Miami last year and will stay with the team until 2028. Along with his playing deal, he also benefits from partnerships with companies like Fanatics and Apple, which include revenue linked to league merchandise sales and subscriptions to MLS streaming coverage.

The Argentine legend helped Inter Miami reach new heights on the field. In 2025 he led the club to the MLS Cup title and also won his second straight MLS Most Valuable Player Award.

Mas said signing global stars is part of the club’s long term vision. “The reason we need world class sponsors is because players are expensive,” he said.

Off the field, the club’s value has also grown quickly. According to Sportico, Inter Miami is now worth around $1.45 billion, making it the most valuable team in MLS. The team is also preparing to open a new stadium called Miami Freedom Park next month, which will become the club’s permanent home in Miami.