Argentine superstar Lionel Messi’s deal with Inter Miami includes salary, commercial agreements with Apple and Adidas, and a future ownership stake in the club.
Lionel Messi’s arrival in Major League Soccer has not only transformed Inter Miami’s sporting profile but also reshaped its business model. According to club co-owner Jorge Mas, the Argentine footballer earns between $70 million and $80 million per year when all elements of his contract are taken into account.
As Jorge Mas explained in comments reported by ESPN, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s base salary is relatively modest compared with his global impact. According to the MLS Players Association, Messi’s base pay is around $12 million, while his guaranteed compensation reaches approximately $20.4 million per season.
However, the real value of his contract rises dramatically thanks to unprecedented commercial agreements within the league. The forward receives a share of revenues linked to Apple, the global broadcasting partner of the MLS, as well as Adidas, the German sportswear giant. His contract also includes a clause that will allow him to become a co-owner of Inter Miami once his professional playing career comes to an end.
To sustain a deal of this magnitude, the club has strengthened its commercial strategy. Mas emphasised that partnerships with top-tier sponsors are essential to balance the financial structure behind the sporting project.
“The reason we need world-class sponsors is because players are expensive. I pay Messi — and he’s worth every dollar — but we’re talking about between $70 million and $80 million a year in total,” the businessman explained.
Currently, commercial and sponsorship agreements represent roughly 55% of the club’s revenue, while broadcasting rights account for only around 2%, a model that differs significantly from most major football leagues.
Messi’s influence on the franchise also extends into the long term. The Argentine signed a contract extension last October that will keep him at Inter Miami until 2028, potentially allowing him to compete in the MLS until t
