The impact of Lionel Messi in American soccer is not only seen on the pitch but also in the financial figures surrounding him. Jorge Mas, co-owner of Inter Miami CF alongside his brother José Mas and former football star David Beckham, recently revealed that the Argentine superstar earns between $70 and $80 million per year in total income at the club.

According to the businessman, in comments reported by Bloomberg, the World Cup champion is “worth every penny.” Since arriving in the Major League Soccer, Messi has become the league’s biggest star, boosting both the popularity of Inter Miami and the profile of soccer across the United States. His presence has transformed not only the team’s sporting performance but also its global commercial impact.

However, the base salary listed in the 2025 MLS Players Salary Guide is significantly lower. In that official report, Messi is recorded as earning around $12 million annually. The large gap between that figure and the total amount revealed by Mas is explained by several additional agreements included in his contract.

One of the key elements is a clause signed in 2023 that grants the Argentine forward a percentage of the club’s valuation. When Messi arrived in Miami, the franchise was valued at around $550 million, but it has now surpassed $1.3 billion. Although the club has never publicly disclosed the exact percentage, various estimates place that benefit at roughly $60 million.

For Inter Miami, keeping a player of Messi’s stature also requires a strong network of international sponsors. According to Mas, having world-class brands involved is essential to sustain salaries of this magnitude, in a sport where commercial revenue has become a crucial pillar of the modern football business.

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