Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi commanded more in compensation than 22 entire Major League Soccer team payrolls in 2024, according to salary data released Thursday by the MLS Players Association, highlighting the dramatic financial impact of the Argentine superstar’s arrival.
Messi’s package includes a $12 million base salary and total compensation of $20,446,667, figures that exclude additional agreements with team affiliates or performance bonuses. The compensation level demonstrates the league’s unprecedented investment in the World Cup champion, who led Miami to the Supporters Shield as regular season champions.
Inter Miami’s league-record $41.7 million payroll stands alone at the top of MLS, doubling all but four other clubs: Toronto ($31.8 million), Los Angeles FC ($22.1 million), LA Galaxy ($22 million), and Nashville ($21.9 million). Only Cincinnati ($21 million) and Houston ($20.5 million) maintain total team payrolls exceeding Messi’s individual earnings.
The salary report revealed other significant summer acquisitions, including French World Cup winner Olivier Giroud’s move to LAFC with $3,675,000 in annualized compensation. Miami’s Sergio Busquets ranks second league-wide with $8,774,996 in total compensation, while Toronto’s Lorenzo Insigne receives $15.4 million total on a $7.5 million base salary.
Notable summer transfers included Houston’s Ezequiel Ponce ($2.8 million total), Atlanta’s Alexey Miranchuk ($3.7 million), and former German international Marco Reus joining LA Galaxy ($1.2 million). American veterans returning to MLS included Colorado’s Reggie Cannon ($841,500) and Charlotte’s Tim Ream ($577,500).
The financial disparity extends to the bottom of the league, where Montreal ($11.4 million), Philadelphia ($13.8 million), and Dallas ($13.9 million) operate with some of MLS’s lowest payrolls, illustrating the growing economic divide within the rapidly expanding league.
