Argentine star Lionel Messi, 38, world champion in 2022, eight-time winner of the Ballon d’Or and eight times voted best in the world by FIFA (International Football Federation), receives between US$ 70 million and US$ 80 million annually — between R$ 367 million and R$ 420 million, at the current exchange rate — from Inter Miami, revealed businessman Jorge Mas, owner of the team, in an interview with the Bloomberg agency.
The amount refers to both the star’s salary and ownership rights in the club, which also counts former English player David Beckham among its partners — it is speculated that Messi, after retirement, will officially join Inter Miami’s corporate structure.
Although impressive, the figure is still well behind that paid to Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, by Al-Nassr. Agreement signed between the Portuguese and the Saudi club in June last year, according to the British newspaper The Sun, reaches €209 million annually, equivalent to R$1.27 billion, in addition to bonuses for goals achieved and a slice of the club’s shares.
“The reason I need to have sponsors, and they need to be world class, is because players are expensive,” Mas told Bloomberg. “I pay Messi — and it’s worth every penny — but it’s $70 million to $80 million a year. All things considered.”
According to the report, sponsorships and commercial agreements represent 55% of Inter Miami’s revenue, which won the MLS (Major League Soccer, the largest football league in the USA) title in December.
Coach Javier Mascherano’s squad also includes veterans Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul, and clubs in the league have been trying to invest heavily in international stars. The most recent target of speculation was Frenchman Antoine Griezmann, who was considering leaving Atlético Madrid for Orlando City.
To celebrate the victory, Inter Miami was invited to visit the White House, where players posed for photos with United States President Donald Trump. During his speech last Thursday (5), the Republican praised Messi as “a winner” and said that, although he has seen Pelé play, he believes that the Argentine “is better”.
He also highlighted the fact that Messi was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) for two consecutive seasons, an MLS record. “Leo, you came and you won. There’s a lot more pressure on you than anyone realizes because you’re expected to win,” Trump said.
On social media and in the press, Argentines were divided over their idol’s participation in the meeting with Trump: part of the fans saw the gesture as something practical, using the situation to favor the team in the next World Cup, which will be in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Part of the public, however, expressed disappointment, anger and rejection especially at a time of global tension due to the war in the Middle East. And because Messi tends to shield himself from public events, especially those led by politicians.
With information from AFP and Reuters
