Lionel Messi’s Earnings in 2023: Despite $150 Million MLS Deal, Inter Miami Star Falls Short of the World’s Highest Paid Athlete – Sportsmanor | CPT PPP Coverage

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After rejecting an offer worth more than a billion dollars from Al-Hilal, Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami last month. In today’s time when most soccer stars are leaving Europe for Saudi Arabian clubs, Messi’s decision shocked everyone. However, while Messi‘s Inter Miami contract isn’t as ludicrous as Saudi Arabia’s, it’s by no means unprofitable.

As per reports, Lionel Messi signed a $150 million deal with Inter Miami. The Argentine icon will earn around $55 million per year at the MLS club. Moreover, Messi’s Inter Miami deal also includes several mouth-watering perks. Apple TV recently signed a broadcasting agreement with MLS for the next ten years. Due to this, fans will need to subscribe to Apple TV to watch the MLS matches. 

?? Included in Lionel Messi’s deal with Inter Miami:

?? Percentage on subscriptions to the MLS Season Pass from APPLE TV, paid directly by APPLE
?? Percentage of Inter Miami shirt sales, paid directly by Adidas
?? Possibility of acquiring an MLS franchise at the end of his… pic.twitter.com/liWC0wgDt8

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) June 7, 2023

Inter Miami has offered Messi a percentage on subscriptions to Apple TV, along with a percentage of Inter Miami’s shirt sales which will be paid by Adidas.

Moreover, Messi will also get the chance to acquire an MLS club after his retirement, a deal that was also previously offered to David Beckham. However, despite getting all these perks, Messi couldn’t beat Cristiano Ronaldo to become the world’s highest-paid athlete. 

Cristiano Ronaldo became the world’s highest-paid athlete after his move to Al-Nassr nearly doubled his annual salary, according to Forbes ? pic.twitter.com/wSQDCTXwdp

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 3, 2023

According to Forbes, Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list with an annual income of $136 million. Out of the $136 million, Ronaldo earns $46 million on the field and $90 million off of it.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi, who was the highest-paid athlete in 2022, has now been relegated to the second spot. The former PSG star earns $130 million annually, with $65 million in on-field earnings and $65 million in off-field earnings. 

Lionel Messi’s career earnings estimated to cross $1 billion by 2025

While Lionel Messi couldn’t match Cristiano Ronaldo’s $200 million Al-Nassr contract, his career earnings will receive a massive boost from his Inter Miami deal. According to Sportico, Lionel Messi’s career earnings will allegedly cross the $1 billion mark in 2025. This will include his salaries and bonuses as well as his earnings from his endorsements.

Sportico estimates that Messi’s career earnings in 2025 will be worth approximately $1.6 billion. The 2022 World Cup winner’s arrival has directly led to a huge increase in the popularity of the MLS. Moreover, Apple stated that since Messi made his debut for Inter Miami, the week recorded three most-watched matches on MLS Season Pass. This also means that Messi will earn a bigger chunk from Apple. 

In addition to this, Lionel Messi’s earnings will be further boosted courtesy of the perk that he can acquire a MLS franchise post-retirement. There are rumors that Messi will get a part-ownership in Inter Miami, whose value will reach around $1 billion next year, as stated by club CEO Jorge Mas. Therefore, it appears that by rejecting Al-Hilal’s offer, Lionel Messi has been playing the long game.