TWith less than 100 days until the 2026 World Cup, the United States is buzzing with a whole new level of soccer fever. This week, the epicenter of the excitement moved from the field to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Inter Miami made a splash when they visited the White House to meet with President Donald Trump. When Lionel Messi presented the commander-in-chief with a customized pink jersey with the number 10 on it, the moment instantly went viral on social media.
Interestingly, this visit comes on the heels of Cristiano Ronaldo’s own recent visit to the capital, a clear sign that the world’s two biggest icons are fully under America’s attention. With the country finally “ready for the World Cup,” it’s clear that Messi isn’t just playing in Miami, he’s building an empire.
The 80 million dollar man: Breaking down Messi’s record-breaking Interamiami pay
While it’s the on-field highlights that fans see, it’s the behind-the-scenes numbers that truly redefine the sports landscape in North America. Messi’s financial impact is staggering, according to recent salary data from the MLS Players Association.
His base salary will be $12 million, but his “guaranteed compensation,” including an amortized bonus, will rise to $20.45 million. With that in mind, he’s easily the highest-paid player in the league, ahead of LAFC’s Son Heung-min, who earns about $11.15 million in guaranteed salary.
But the real “game changer” in Messi’s contract is not his base salary. It’s capital. Messi signed a contract that included a percentage of ownership in Inter Miami, which caused his net worth to soar as well as the club’s value.
When Messi arrived in 2023, the franchise was valued at approximately $585 million. Currently, Forbes magazine values him at a whopping $1.35 billion. The exact amount of his stake remains private, but estimates suggest that the increased value of the stake could be worth at least $60 million a year to the Argentine star. Basically, as the club grows, so does Messi’s bank account, with his annual gross income reaching the range of $80 million.
Messi contract extension and ownership define new era with new stadium
The timing of Messi’s recent contract extension is no coincidence, as he is under contract until the 2028-29 season. It coincides perfectly with the club’s move to its historic new home, Miami Freedom Park. Messi has reportedly renewed his determination to take part, especially in the first season at the state-of-the-art stadium, to ensure he remains the face of the team despite relocating from Fort Lauderdale to central Miami.
What makes this contract unique in sports history is the way it was concluded. Unlike traditional player contracts, which end at the final whistle, Messi’s ownership only becomes ‘active’ upon his retirement. This will ensure that he remains a major owner, alongside Jorge Mas, Jose Mas and David Beckham, even after his playing days are over.
By securing his future until the end of the decade, Messi effectively transitioned from global superstar to a permanent pillar of the American sports economy. For fans, that means they’ll get to see at least two more seasons of the “GOAT” in the pink jersey before he moves into the owner’s suite for good.
