Lionel Messi's annual salary of $20.45 million from Inter Miami not only makes him the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer (MLS) but also exceeds the entire payrolls of 25 of the league's teams, according to data released by the MLS Players Association. Messi's compensation package includes a base salary of $12 million plus various bonuses, excluding his substantial income from commercial deals, endorsements, and sponsorships from companies like Adidas and Apple.

Before joining Inter Miami, Messi's last contract with Barcelona, signed in 2017, potentially allowed him to earn up to 138 million euros per season, including salary and add-ons. After moving to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in August 2021, he was reported to be earning between 30-35 million euros annually. Messi joined Miami in July 2023 on a contract that runs until the end of the 2025 season, and he may still be receiving deferred salary payments from Barcelona, as stated by Barcelona president Joan Laporta in January 2022.

In MLS, Toronto's Italian striker Lorenzo Insigne is the second-highest-paid player with a guaranteed income of $15.4 million, while Messi's teammate, Sergio Busquets, earns $8.8 million annually. Miami's total wage bill stands at $41.68 million, with Toronto second at $31.41 million. Current league champions, the Columbus Crew, have a total salary cost of $15.19 million, ranking 21st in the league.

Messi's salary is made possible by the MLS 'Designated Player' rule, which allows teams to sign star players outside the salary cap. This rule was initially introduced to enable the Los Angeles Galaxy to sign David Beckham in 2007. Despite Messi's significant MLS salary, it is modest compared to top performers in other major American sports. For instance, NFL's Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow signed a deal worth $55 million per season, while NBA's top earner Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors makes $51.9 million annually.

The average MLS salary in 2024 is $594,390, reflecting a 12.1% increase from the previous year. This disparity highlights the wide income gap within the league, with some players, like Inter Miami's Noah Allen, earning as little as $91,383 annually, a stark contrast to Messi's earnings.