Lionel Messi earns between $28 million and $80 million annually from his Inter Miami CF contract, depending on whether you count base salary alone or total compensation including sponsorships and revenue-sharing deals. Messi joined Inter Miami in August 2023 and has since become the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer, with his earnings structured across multiple compensation streams that extend through the 2028 season.
Table of Contents
- The Original 2023 Contract Structure
- 2025 and 2026 Salary Under MLS Rules
- Contract Extension Through 2028
- Total Annual Earnings Beyond Salary
- How Messi's Earnings Compare in MLS
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Original 2023 Contract Structure
When messi signed with Inter Miami in August 2023, the deal was worth $150 million total over two and a half years, averaging $60 million annually, according to ESPN. The contract included a signing bonus, base salary, and an equity stake in the club itself.
This arrangement was unprecedented for MLS at the time and immediately reshaped salary expectations across the league. The equity component gave Messi a financial interest in Inter Miami's long-term success, not just a player paycheck.
2025 and 2026 Salary Under MLS Rules
For the 2025 season, Messi earned guaranteed compensation of $20.45 million, making him the highest-paid MLS player that year, according to Goal.com. His salary more than doubled for 2026: his base salary is $25 million, and his guaranteed compensation totals $28.33 million under MLS salary cap accounting.
At that level, he earns more than twice what the second-highest-paid MLS player makes. This MLS "cap hit" figure represents what counts against the league's salary cap rules, not necessarily his total take-home pay.
Contract Extension Through 2028
Inter Miami announced a contract extension in late 2025 that keeps Messi through the 2028 season, according to Sportico, though the specific financial terms of the extension were not disclosed publicly. The extension signals the club's commitment to retaining him as a centerpiece of the franchise. Exact salary figures for the 2027 and 2028 seasons remain unknown, though the 2026 numbers suggest his earnings will remain among the sport's highest.
Total Annual Earnings Beyond Salary
Messi's actual annual income extends well beyond his MLS salary cap hit. Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas stated that Messi's total annual earnings, including sponsorships and a special Apple TV revenue-sharing deal with MLS, reach $70 to $80 million, according to Bleacher Report.
The Apple partnership alone contributes approximately $50 million annually through a joint venture between Apple TV and MLS, per CBS News reporting. These additional revenue streams come from league-wide media deals and sponsorship arrangements rather than Inter Miami's direct payroll.
How Messi's Earnings Compare in MLS
Messi's $28.33 million MLS cap hit in 2026 nearly doubles the salary of the second-highest earner in the league. This salary structure reflects both his individual marketability and the league's salary cap rules, which allow teams to exceed the cap for "designated players." Most MLS rosters operate under a $20 million total payroll cap, making Messi's single contract roughly equal to what many teams spend on their entire squads. His presence has also increased Inter Miami's commercial value, sponsorship revenue, and television viewership since his arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Messi's salary change when he signed the contract extension?
The extension was announced in late 2025 with undisclosed terms. His 2026 salary is confirmed at $25 million base and $28.33 million cap hit, but exact figures for 2027 and 2028 were not released publicly.
Is the $70–$80 million figure verified by Inter Miami or MLS?
That figure comes from a statement by Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas and includes sponsorships and the Apple TV revenue-sharing deal. The Apple partnership alone reportedly contributes around $50 million of that total.
How does Messi's MLS salary compare to his Paris Saint-Germain contract?
The article covers only his Inter Miami earnings. Comparisons to prior contracts are not addressed in available sources.