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| Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) hits a corner kick in the second half against Colorado Rapids at Chase Stadium on April 6, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. |
Lionel Messi has earned an absolute fortune since he joined Inter Miami last summer.
Major League Soccer side Inter Miami sent shockwaves through the world of football in 2023 when they announced the signing of Messi.
The Argentine superstar spent two years at Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Barcelona in 2021, but he decided against staying at the French club.
After months of speculation, Messi joined David Beckham's side to become the biggest signing in MLS history.
Within a month of making his debut, Messi led Miami to victory in the Leagues Cup, the club's first every title.
Miami failed to make the play-offs last season, but this term they are currently top of the Eastern Conference with 15 points from nine games.
As is to be expected, Messi became the highest earner in MLS when he joined Miami.
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But, considering what other players in the league earn, he is taking home a staggering salary.
Last October, the MLS Players Association shared information on player wages as part pf a collective bargaining agreement.
The data showed that Messi earns a base salary of $12 million per season, but he is also entitled to an extra $8.4 million in signing-on fees and bonuses.
On top of that, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner earns a stunning amount from unique arrangements he has with Adidas and Apple. He takes a cut of the money earned from Adidas shirt sales - the technical partner of MLS - and the league's lucrative Apple TV broadcast deal.
Those agreements take Messi's yearly earnings to between $50 million and $60 million, as Inter co-owner Jorge Mas told El Pais when Messi signed.
According to those figures, Messi earns between $960,000 and $1.15m a week, and having joined the club on July 16, 2023, he has been in Florida for just over 39 weeks.
Therefore, since joining Inter Miami Messi has earned somewhere between $36m and $45m through salary, bonuses and commercial arrangements.
Messi is by far the highest earner in MLS when only his $20.4m salary and bonuses are considered.
Lionel Messi’s salary at Inter Miami has been revealed.
Last summer Messi left Paris Saint-Germain to join Inter Miami and instantly transformed the club’s fortunes by scoring 11 goals and claiming five assists in the final 14 games of that campaign to help them to their first-ever trophy, the Leagues Cup.
This term the 36-year-old made a strong start to the new MLS campaign, claiming five goals and two assists in his first five appearances in all competitions, before picking up an injury.
Miami had been trying to lure Messi away from Europe since even before their debut season in 2020, with club owner Jorge Mas having met with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s agent and father, Jorge Messi, in September 2019.
And it took an enormous wage to sign Messi.
According to Forbes, though the Argentine’s Miami salary is far less than the reported $400 million-a-year (£317million) offer the Argentine turned down from the Saudi Pro League, he is still among the best-paid players in world football.
Mas has claimed Messi will earn between $50million (£39.6million) and $60million (£47.55million) in guaranteed money annually.
He will also have the potential for more through individual “revenue-sharing” deals with Apple and Adidas.
There is also a “David Beckham clause” in his contract that provides the Argentine with the option to take ownership of the club without the need of a buy-in.
When Messi will hang up his boots is unclear. He’s under contract until 2025 at Miami, with the option of a further year.
"I know that the moment I feel that I am no longer able to perform, that I no longer enjoy or help my team-mates, I will quit," he said in an interview on the Big Time podcast.
"I'm very self-critical. I know when I'm good, when I'm bad, when I'm playing well, and when I'm playing badly.
"When I feel it's time to take that step, I'll take it without thinking about age. If I feel good, I'll always try to keep competing because it's what I like and what I know how to do."
Messi added: "I haven't yet thought of what I'm going to do when I retire. Today, I try to enjoy the day-to-day, the moments, without thinking about life after [football]."
Footage of Lionel Messi's son Mateo has emerged online showcasing his talents for Inter Miami's academy team.
The 8-year-old has a long way to go before carving a career like the one seen by his father but comparisons are already being made.
Messi's move to the States means we could see Mateo in the MLS to begin his career, following his switch back in 2023.
Scoring five goals in total in a video posted on X, formerly Twitter, Mateo's play style looks identical to that of father Lionel.
Weaving in and out of players, the youngster finds the net five times with ease and even copies his dad's iconic kiss celebration.
Seemingly preferring to use his right foot however has caused some confusion, although when you are capable of doing so with both like the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, who cares?
Fans online have already began to hype up Messi Jr, with plenty of praise flying in.
"He's actually good. Not kidding. He's actually bagged the DNA," posted one user online.
"A right footed Messi? We really are in a simulation," added another.
"In the future it will be Messi Jnr vs Ronaldo Jnr," and it could well be, said @Princeutd1P.
"Wow, following in his dad's footsteps already future star for sure," praised another fan via social media.
Lionel of course began his career in Argentina before setting sail to Barcelona to become one of the world's best.
Spells at PSG and now in the US have followed, whilst it remains to be seen what awaits for his son.
The same can be said for fellow footballing icon Cristiano Ronaldo and his son, Cristiano Jr.
Now with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, the young Portuguese star is already attracting similar attention online.
Could the pair both face off against each other like their fathers have done for years and years? I guess only time will tell...
Messi gave some key advice to a young team-mate.
Lionel Messi gave a priceless piece of advice to young Inter Miami team-mate David Ruiz before he went on to score in the Leagues Cup.
Inter Miami lifted the Leagues Cup on Saturday after defeating Nashville, but needed a penalty shootout to prevail. It ended up being a test of endurance.
A total of 22 penalties were taken in all, before goalkeeper Elliot Panicco missed the decisive spot-kick.
One of Inter Miami's penalties was scored by 19-year-old Honduras youth international David Ruiz, who netted just his second goal for the club in the 4-1 win over Philadelphia Union in the semi-final.
And he has revealed how he has been eager to get tips from Messi - as well as the key piece of advice that the Argentinian gave to him prior to scoring.
Speaking to reporters after lifting the Leagues Cup, Ruiz explained (quotes via Goal): "One thing Messi told me is to stand still more.
"You want to run for every ball, look for space to have it more, but he has told me to stay still in my position and the ball will come to me.
"I tried it and it came off. I was more patient."
Messi has perfected the art of walking around the pitch when his team are out of possession, in an attempt to find space between defenders. You can see how he does it below.
Inter Miami were statistically the worst team in Major League Soccer in 2023 upon Messi's arrival last month, but you'd be surprised to see that record last too long when the season resumes.
The Argentinian has so far been restricted to playing in the Leagues Cup, which features teams from across North America, due to the MLS mid-season break.
In typical Messi fashion, he has completely dominated the competition, scoring in each of Inter Miami's seven matches on his way to netting 10 goals overall.
Messi's side are back in MLS action on August 27, when they travel to the New York Red Bulls. Three days before that clash, they face a trip to Cincinnati to contest the US Open Cup semi-final.
Lionel Messi has dropped a hint over his Inter Miami future with the confirmation of a 'special' match that he will take part in during pre-season.
Messi signed for the MLS franchise in the summer after his PSG contract expired.
A month after his arrival, the Argentinian guided his new side to the 2023 Leagues Cup title, scoring 10 goals in the seven games he played during the competition.
Injury disrupted the end of his season, though, and Messi made just three appearances in the MLS before the closure of the campaign.
There had been rumours that he may leave Inter Miami on loan, with clubs from the Saudi Pro League said to be interested.
However, the 36-year-old shut down those rumours in October, and his future now looks far more certain.
That is after a pre-season friendly was announced on Monday, with Messi's Inter Miami set to take on his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys before the 2024 MLS season begins.
In a statement following the confirmation of the fixture, Inter Miami boss Gerardo Martino - who also had a spell at Newell's as a player - said (via ESPN): "I am delighted to welcome my beloved Newell's to our home here in Miami. It will be a special match due to everything Newell's Old Boys means to me.
"It will also be a good opportunity to prepare for what will surely be an exciting season."
The friendly is the latest confirmed for what will be a packed schedule for Messi and his club in the opening two months of 2024.
They play the El Salvador national team in San Salvador on January 19, before matches in Saudi Arabia against Al Hilal and Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr.
Inter Miami then play a Hong Kong All Stars team, before ending their pre-season schedule in Japan with a match against Andres Iniesta's former club Vissel Kobe at the Japan National Stadium on February 7.