The Major League Soccer Players Association (MLS) has released its latest payroll, once again highlighting the immense impact Argentine legend Lionel Messi has had since joining Inter Miami. According to the official figures, Messi's earnings have increased by 40% compared to last season, bringing his guaranteed base salary to $28.3 million this season. This not only makes him the highest-paid player in league history by a considerable margin, but also surpasses the total payroll of most MLS clubs.
Historical context: From the “Beckham Law” to the “Messi Effect”
The arrival of a star of Lionel Messi's stature in Major League Soccer (MLS) was no accident; it was the culmination of a long-term strategy initiated by the league to attract global superstars. This strategy traces its roots back to 2007 with the arrival of English star David Beckham, for whom the "Designated Player Rule," also known as the "Beckham Rule," was introduced. This rule allows each club to sign up to three players whose salaries exceed the league's salary cap, thus opening the door to big names like Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and now Lionel Messi, whose arrival is considered the biggest transfer in the history of North American football.
The importance of the deal and its economic impact
Messi's impact extends far beyond the financial figures of his contract. Since his transfer was announced in the summer of 2023, Major League Soccer (MLS) has experienced unprecedented growth across the board. Domestically, ticket sales for Inter Miami matches, both home and away, have skyrocketed, and jersey sales have doubled. Regionally and internationally, Messi's presence has led to a massive increase in subscriptions to the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+, the league's exclusive media partner, attracting millions of new viewers worldwide. This momentum positions the league highly ahead of the United States hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, further enhancing the sport's standing in the country.
New salary map for the American league
The payroll report reveals that Inter Miami, thanks to the presence of Messi and his former Barcelona teammates, tops the list of highest-spending clubs with a total wage bill of $54.6 million. Los Angeles FC follows closely behind, nearly $20 million behind. Messi isn't the only one; the list of highest-paid players also includes other prominent names such as South Korean Son Heung-min (Los Angeles FC) with over $11 million and Argentinian Rodrigo De Paul (Miami) with $9.7 million. Other clubs have also undergone a financial transformation, such as the Vancouver Whitecaps, who jumped into the top five in spending after signing German star Thomas Müller. This suggests that the "Messi effect" has encouraged other clubs to increase their investments to attract talent and raise the level of competition in the league.
