When Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in the summer of 2023, it was more than a late-career move โ it was one of the most significant transfers in the history of American soccer. His arrival transformed the profile of Major League Soccer, broke Apple TV streaming records and turned Miami into a global football focal point.
It also came with a contract structure unlike almost anything in MLS. Here's how Messi earns โ and how he reportedly spends โ his millions in America.
The Inter Miami Contract
Messi's Inter Miami deal is not a simple salary. Reporting by The Athletic and the Associated Press described a structure that includes:
- A base salary reported in the region of $50 to $60 million per year.
- A share of revenue from Apple TV's MLS Season Pass subscriptions, which broadcast MLS globally.
- A share of revenue from Adidas, MLS's official apparel partner.
The exact figures have not been officially confirmed by the club, Messi or the league, so they should be treated as reported estimates. But even the conservative reading makes Messi one of the highest-paid players in world football โ and gives him income streams beyond a paycheck.
A visual representation of Lionel Messi's spending power after his move to Inter Miami and the United States.
How the Deal Reshaped MLS
Messi's arrival had an immediate commercial impact. MLS Season Pass subscriptions surged, Inter Miami's social media following exploded, and ticket prices for away games rose sharply as fans bought tickets just to see him. Sponsors and broadcast partners all benefited, which is exactly why the league and its partners were willing to structure a deal that shared that new revenue with Messi himself.
How Messi Spends in America
Real Estate
Following the move, multiple outlets reported that Messi purchased a luxury property in the Fort Lauderdale area, close to Inter Miami's facilities. Waterfront mansions in that part of Florida regularly sell for $10 million and well above, and the area is a favorite among athletes and celebrities for its privacy and waterfront access.
Lifestyle
Miami is one of the world's luxury capitals, and Messi has been seen enjoying the city's high-end restaurants, events and lifestyle. His spending, however, is generally reported to be more private and restrained than some of his peers โ he's rarely the one posting supercar collections on social media.
Private Travel
Like most elite footballers, Messi travels privately. He has been reported to own a private jet โ a Gulfstream V has been mentioned in past reporting โ which he uses for club and international duty with Argentina.
Messi's Businesses and Investments
Beyond playing, Messi has a portfolio of business interests:
- The Leo Messi Foundation โ his charitable foundation supporting children's access to education and healthcare.
- Hotel investments โ Messi has been reported to have invested in hotels in Spain under the MiM (Majestic i Messi) brand, including properties in Sitges and Mallorca.
- Endorsements โ long-running deals with Adidas, Pepsi and others.
These add to his income and his net worth, though the private nature of the investments makes precise figures hard to confirm.
How Messi's Fortune Changed in America
Before the move, Messi had already spent nearly two decades at Barcelona followed by two years at Paris Saint-Germain, accumulating career earnings that Forbes ranked among the highest in sports history. The Inter Miami deal didn't create his wealth โ it added a new, American layer on top, with revenue-sharing components that could grow as MLS expands globally.
Why Messi's Net Worth Is Hard to Pin Down
Like Ronaldo, Messi's true net worth is difficult to verify:
- His Inter Miami contract terms are reported, not officially confirmed.
- Private investments and real estate aren't fully public.
- Endorsement contracts are confidential.
- Net worth fluctuates with the value of his businesses and deals.
Forbes has estimated Messi's career earnings in the hundreds of millions of dollars, and his annual income remains among the highest in football.
Spend Messi's Fortune Yourself
Curious how you'd handle a fortune like Messi's? In Spend Their Money you can take Lionel Messi's fortune and try to spend it on Miami mansions, supercars, jets and islands. See how long it takes you to empty the balance.
Play Spend Their Money โ Lionel Messi
For more, read our comparison of Ronaldo vs Messi and who spends more on luxury, and our guide to what you can buy with $1 billion.
Sources
- The Athletic โ reporting on Messi's Inter Miami contract (theathletic.com)
- Associated Press (apnews.com)
- Forbes โ Highest-Paid Athletes (forbes.com)
- Adidas โ official (adidas.com)
- Apple TV โ MLS Season Pass (apple.com)
