Lionel Messi is the highest-paid player as he earns over $20 million annually according to his contract with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
His huge salary puts him ahead of the entire squads of 25 of the league's clubs, according to data released by the MLS Players Association on Thursday.
Inter Miami has one of the highest payrolls in the league, with a total of $41.7 million. Other than Messi, the club has on its payroll some other high-earning players like Sergio Busquets, Luis Suárez, and Jordi Alba. However, some teams like the LA Galaxy and Atlanta have reduced their payrolls compared to the previous year.
The average base salary for senior roster players in the MLS is around $513,075, with total guaranteed compensation averaging $594,389. Only 13% of players earn at least $1 million, while 26% earn less than $100,000.
Messi has a guaranteed compensation of $20,446,667 made up ofa base salary of $12 million plus various bonuses. The figures from the players' union do not include thehugeincome the Argentine World Cup winner receives in commercial deals, endorsements and sponsorships from companies such as Adidas and Apple.
Toronto's Italian striker Lorenzo Insigne,who wasMLS's best-ever paid player until Messi's arrival, was second on the list with a guaranteed income of $15.4 million from the Canadian club. Messi's Spanish teammate, Sergio Busquets, the 35-year-old former Barca midfielder, is the third top earner in the league on $8.8 million guaranteed.