Inter Miami star striker Lionel Messi pocketed more than the entire payroll of 22 other Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs, while Frenchman Olivier Giroud will get more than US$3.6 million (5 M$CAD) in various bonuses under the contract he signed with Los Angeles FC in July.
The MLS Players’ Association released an update on its members’ salaries on Thursday, and the Argentine’s base salary of $12 million, with bonuses totaling more than $20.4 million, remained the same to that published last May.
These figures include what Messi receives from MLS, in a deal in effect until the end of 2025, which includes marketing bonuses and other fees from his agent. However, these amounts exclude all other agreements with the Florida team and its partners, as well as its performance bonuses.
Season champion Inter Miami led the league with $41.7 million in payroll, double that of all other teams except Toronto FC (US$31.8 million), LAFC (22 .1 million US), the LA Galaxy (22 million US$) and the Nashville SC (21.9 million US$).
FC Dallas (US$13.9 million), Philadelphia Union (US$13.8 million) and CF Montreal (US$11.4 million) come at the bottom of the pack in terms of MLS payroll .
