Inside Lionel Messi's Record-Breaking $28 Million Inter Miami Contract Through 2027

Lionel Messi's 2026 Major League Soccer salary stands at $25 million in base pay and $28.33 million in total guaranteed compensation — a figure that exceeds the entire payroll of all but two MLS teams. The numbers are staggering by any measure.

These figures, released by the MLS Players' Association in their annual salary data, confirm what football fans already knew: Messi operates on a completely different financial plane than every other player in the league. The difference between his earnings and the second-highest paid player, Heung-min Son at LAFC ($10.4 million base), is actually greater than the gap between Son and the 200th-highest earner in MLS.

Breaking Down the Contract Structure

When Messi first joined Inter Miami in 2023, he signed a two-and-a-half-year contract that ran through the conclusion of the 2025 season. On October 23, 2025, he committed his future to South Florida with an extension through 2027. His 2025 base salary was $12 million — already astronomical by MLS benchmarks — before doubling to $25 million when the extension took effect.

The salary figures tell only part of the story. Messi reportedly secured an ownership stake in Inter Miami, alongside lucrative image rights deals involving Apple and Adidas. When The Miami Herald broke down the complete value of his initial contract in 2023, factoring in all commercial components, the total reached between $125 million and $150 million. Forbes estimates his overall 2025 earnings at $135 million — trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo's $275 million globally.

Inter Miami's designated player roster reflects significant investment across the board. Rodrigo De Paul ranks third among league earners with a $7.6 million base salary and $9.7 million in guaranteed compensation. Hirving Lozano (San Diego FC, $9.3M) and Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United, $7.9M) complete the top five. Miami's massive wage structure fundamentally alters how betting markets evaluate them.

Performance Justifies the Investment

The evidence strongly supports the investment. Messi delivered Inter Miami's first-ever trophy during his inaugural campaign — the 2023 Leagues Cup — then topped the league in goal contributions throughout 2024 despite featuring in approximately half the matches, guiding the club to its maiden Supporters' Shield and inaugural playoff triumph. In 2025, he captured the MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals across 28 appearances.

The sole missing piece remains an MLS Cup championship. Inter Miami has conquered regular season play, cup competitions, and individual honours. A championship would cement this as the most transformative signing in MLS history, full stop. For now, it remains an open question — though the 2027 extension guarantees Messi at least two more opportunities to complete the collection.

His wages carry significant implications for MLS betting markets: when Messi takes the pitch, Inter Miami's odds improve dramatically. When sidelined by injury, as occurred during portions of both 2023 and 2024, the landscape shifts rapidly. A $28 million player who misses 15 matches per season remains the league's most influential figure — but his availability represents a genuine factor, not merely a footnote in match analysis.