Lionel Messi’s earnings in 2024 surpassed the total payroll of more than 22 other Major League Soccer teams. The latest salary update from the Major League Soccer Players Association, released on Thursday, confirmed that Messi’s base salary stands at $12 million, with total compensation from Inter Miami reaching $20,446,667, figures that have remained unchanged since the initial report in May.
These earnings reflect Messi’s MLS contract, which is set to run through the 2025 season, and encompass various elements such as marketing bonuses and agent fees. However, they do not include any additional agreements with the club or its affiliates, nor do they account for any potential performance bonuses.
Inter Miami, which secured the league’s regular-season Supporters Shield title, boasts a staggering payroll of $41.7 million, a figure that is double that of all but a few teams, including Toronto at $31.8 million, Los Angeles FC at $22.1 million, LA Galaxy at $22 million, and Nashville at $21.9 million.
On the lower end of the payroll spectrum, teams like Montreal ($11.4 million), Philadelphia ($13.8 million), and Dallas ($13.9 million) struggle to match the financial muscle displayed by Miami.
In a notable transfer, 38-year-old striker Giroux joined LA on a free transfer from AC Milan, with an annualized salary of $2.8 million for 2024.
Sergio Busquets, a midfielder for Miami, ranks second in the league with a salary of $8,499,996 and total compensation of $8,774,996. Meanwhile, Toronto’s winger Lorenzo Insigne earns a salary of $7.5 million, bringing his total compensation to $15.4 million.
Other significant signings during the summer transfer window included Houston’s Ezequiel Ponce ($2.56 million salary, $2,822,200 total compensation), St. Louis’s Marcel Hartel ($1,797,600 salary, $2,183,113 total compensation), and Atlanta’s Alexey Miranchuk ($2.4 million salary, $3,685,441 total compensation). Players like Salt Lake’s Diogo Gonçalves and Minnesota’s Kelvin Yeboah also made headlines with their respective salaries.
Among American players returning to MLS, Colorado’s Reggie Cannon ($750,000 salary, $841,500 total compensation) and Charlotte’s Tim Ream ($500,000 salary, $577,500 total compensation) are noteworthy additions.
Former New England forward Jozy Altidore appears as an MLS pool player with a salary of $1,683,750 and total compensation of $2,242,574. Meanwhile, former Toronto player Michael Bradley is listed as retired, receiving a pay of $725,000.
