Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas has disclosed the significant financial demands of keeping Lionel Messi at the club.
The Argentine star has made a big impact on the MLS team since joining in 2023.
However, Mas acknowledges that retaining a player of Messi’s caliber requires extensive financial support from sponsors.
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Inter Miami owner outlines Lionel Messi’s $80 million cost
The Athletic reported Jorge Mas’ comments on the necessity of major sponsorship deals for Inter Miami.
“The reason I need top-notch sponsors is because players are costly,” Mas explained.
He mentioned, “I pay Messi – absolutely worth it – but it’s about $70 million to $80 million annually. Overall.”
This statement underscores the substantial compensation Messi receives from the MLS club.
Mas indicated that strong sponsorship partnerships play a crucial role in managing the financial burden of hiring such a legendary player.
Additionally, Messi’s global appeal has been beneficial for Inter Miami in attracting the right international sponsors.
Lionel Messi’s salary and bonuses at Inter Miami
While the total financial package can reach tens of millions each year, Messi’s official base salary in Major League Soccer is significantly lower.
The MLS Players Association reports his base pay to be about $12 million.
However, his guaranteed earnings, including bonuses and other benefits throughout the contract, amount to around $20.45 million.
This figure does not account for additional commercial deals linked to Messi’s move to MLS.
When factoring in marketing partnerships and revenue-sharing agreements, these elements contribute to the overall value of his contract falling in the $70–80 million range mentioned by Mas.