Lionel Messi's total annual compensation of $20,446,667 (£16.5 million) exceeds the entire payroll of 21 Major League Soccer teams, according to figures released by the Major League Soccer Players Association on Wednesday.
The Argentine forward remains the highest-paid player in MLS for the third consecutive year, with a base compensation of $12 million (£9.7 million).
These figures encompass Messi's MLS contract through the 2025 season, including marketing bonuses and agent fees, but exclude additional agreements with Inter Miami or its affiliates and performance bonuses.
Inter Miami's payroll of $46.8 million (£37.8 million) as of 23 May topped the league, rising from $41.7 million (£33.7 million) at the end of last season.
Lionel Messi is by far the biggest earner in the MLS, even earning more than entire team's put together
Reuters
Miami's spending was double that of all teams except Toronto at $34.1 million (£27.5 million) and Atlanta at $27.6 million (£22.3 million).
Cincinnati ranked fourth with $23.2 million (£18.7 million), followed by defending champions LA Galaxy at $22.9 million (£18.5 million), Los Angeles FC at $22.4 million (£18.1 million) and Chicago at $22.1 million (£17.8 million).
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Expansion side San Diego occupied tenth place with a $20 million (£16.1 million) payroll.
Total compensation for all 902 signed players reached $586 million (£473 million), marking a 12.9% increase from $519 million (£419 million) at the start of 2024.
The figures represent a 27.4% rise from $460 million (£371 million) in 2023 and a 48.7% jump from $394 million (£318 million) in 2022.
Eleven players now earn $5 million (£4 million) or more annually, up from nine at the start of last season.
Fifty players earned $2 million (£1.6 million) or higher, compared to 44 previously, whilst 131 players earned $1 million (£807,000) or more, rising from 115 at the start of last year.
Montreal recorded the lowest payroll amongst the league's 30 teams at just under $12 million (£9.7 million), with Philadelphia ranking 29th at $13.4 million (£10.8 million).
Toronto winger Lorenzo Insigne earned the second-highest compensation at $15.4 million (£12.4 million), followed by Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets at $8,774,996 (£7.1 million).
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Lionel Messi scored a stunning free-kick for Inter Miami at the Club World CupGETTYThe average guaranteed compensation rose to $649,120 (£524,000), representing a 9.2% increase from $594,389 (£480,000) in May 2024.
Inter Miami are currenting fighting it out in the Club World Cup after being specially invited to the tournament by FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.
They finished second in their group behind Brazilian outfit Palmeiras, knocking out Porto and Al-Ahly in the process.
A stunning 2-1 win over Porto proved the crucial result, with Messi scoring a sublime free-kick to take all three points.
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Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in a huge deal in 2023
ReutersInter Miami's qualification has seen them draw Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 in a tasty tie on Sunday.
It will see Messi face his former side for the first time since leaving in 2023 after the 38-year-old spent two seasons with the French giants.
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