Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has emerged as Major League Soccer's highest-paid player, boasting a total guaranteed compensation of $20.45 million, as per data disclosed by the MLS Players Association. This figure solely represents the playing segment of Messi's earnings, with additional revenue streams stemming from his endorsement deal with Adidas and a revenue-sharing pact with league broadcast partner Apple.
According to Sportico, Messi stands to amass a staggering $150 million over the duration of the two-and-a-half-year contract he inked with Miami and MLS in the previous year. Following Messi, Toronto FC forward Lorenzo Insigne secures the second spot with a guaranteed compensation of $15.44 million, trailed by Messi's Inter Miami teammate Sergio Busquets at $8.77 million.
