Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas has revealed the staggering financial reality behind keeping Lionel Messi at the club.
The Argentine superstar has transformed the MLS side both on and off the pitch since arriving in 2023.
But Mas admits maintaining a player of Messi’s stature requires huge financial backing from sponsors.
Inter Miami owner explains Lionel Messi’s $80m cost
The Athletic shared Jorge Mas’ explanation of why major sponsorship deals are essential for Inter Miami.
“The reason that I need to have sponsors and for them to be world class is because players are expensive,” Mas revealed.
He added: “I pay Messi – worth every penny – but it’s $70 million to $80 million a year. Across everything.”
The comment highlights just how significant Messi’s overall compensation package is for the MLS club.
Mas suggested that elite sponsorship partnerships help offset the massive cost of employing one of the greatest footballers in history.
At the same time, Messi’s global popularity has also helped Inter Miami attract exactly the type of international sponsors the club needs.
Lionel Messi’s base salary and bonuses at Inter Miami
While the overall financial package can reach tens of millions annually, Messi’s official base salary in Major League Soccer is considerably lower.
The MLS Players Association salary release lists his base pay at roughly $12 million.
However, his guaranteed compensation, which includes bonuses and additional earnings spread across the contract, is calculated at around $20.45 million.
That figure does not include other commercial arrangements tied to Messi’s move to MLS.
Combined with marketing partnerships and revenue-sharing agreements, those additional elements are what push the overall value of his deal into the $70–80 million range mentioned by Mas.
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