aurora game Lionel Messi earned more than 22 other MLS teams’ payrolls in 2024

Lionel Messi (10) of MLS team Inter Miami CF celebrates scoring during the second half against the New England Revolutionat Chase Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

BETHESDA, Maryland — Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi earned more than the entire payrolls of 22 other Major League Soccer teams, and Olivier Giroud has $3,675,000 in annualized total compensation under the contract he signed to join Los Angeles FC in July.

The MLS Players Association released its salary update on Thursday and Messi’s $12 million base salary and $20,446,667 in total compensation from Inter Miami remained the same as in the initial listing in May.

Article continues after this advertisement

Those figures cover what Messi receives from his MLS deal, which runs through the 2025 season, including any marketing bonus and agent’s fees. They do not account for any additional agreements with the team or its affiliates, or for any performance bonuses.

FEATURED STORIES SPORTS NBA finds missed Warriors' free throw actually went in SPORTS NBA: Klay Thompson sets 3s record for Mavericks debut SPORTS Spikers' Turf: Savouge stuns Cignal in five-set thriller

READ: Lionel Messi says Inter Miami will be ‘my last club’

Average guaranteed compensation rose 9.8% to $596,226 from $543,207.

Article continues after this advertisement

Miami, the league’s regular-season Supporters Shield champion, led the league with a record $41.7 million payroll, double all but Toronto ($31.8 million), Los Angeles FC ($22.1 million), the LA Galaxy ($22 million) and Nashville ($21.9 million).

Article continues after this advertisement

Players on Cincinnati ($21 million) and Houston ($20.5 million) also totaled more than Messi.

Article continues after this advertisement

Montreal ($11.4 million), Philadelphia ($13.8 million) and Dallas ($13.9 million) are among the lowest payrolls.

READ: Lionel Messi returns, scores twice as Inter Miami beats Union 3-1

Article continues after this advertisement

Giroux, a 38-year-old striker, joined LA in July on a free transfer from AC Milan. He has a $2.8 million annualized salary for 2024.

Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets is second in the league in salary at $8,499,996 and has $8,774,996 in total compensation. Toronto winger Lorenzo Insigne has a $7.5 million salary and $15.4 million in total compensation.

Other notable players who joined MLS during the summer transfer window included Houston forward Ezequiel Ponce ($2.56 million salary, $2,822,200 total compensation), St. Louis midfielder Marcel Hartel ($1,797,600, $2,183,113), Atlanta midfielder Alexey Miranchuk ($2.4 million, $3,685,441), Salt Lake midfielder Diogo Gonçalves ($1.65 million, $1,797,108), Minnesota forward Kelvin Yeboah ($1,225,000), New York Red Bulls midfielder Felipe Carballo ($1.02 million, $1,169,777), Cincinnati defender Chidozie Awaziem ($1.08 million, $1,205,675), Austin winger Osman Bukari ($1 million) and LA Galaxy midfielder Marco Reus ($960,000, $1,216,667).

Among Americans returning to MLS were Colorado right back Reggie Cannon ($750,000, $841,500) and Charlotte defender Tim Ream ($500,000, $577,500).

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Former New England forward Jozy Altidore was listed as an MLS pool player at $1,683,750 in salary and $2aurora game,242,574 in total compensation. Former Toronto player Michael Bradley was listed as retired with pay and total compensation of $725,000.

READ NEXT NBA: Kobe Bufkin partially dislocates right shoulder for 2nd time Karch Kiraly is moving from Team USA women’s team to coa... EDITORS' PICK UNIS, BINI, SB19 donate, join efforts to help Typhoon Kristine victims Metro Manila down to Signal No. 1; 18 Luzon areas still under Signal No. 2 Manila Water 3rd treatment plant to benefit over 140,000 in Rizal CJ Opiaza is Miss Grand International 2024 1st runner-up; India wins crown Baseload power is vital for reliability and security DBM: Unprogrammed funds may be tapped in relief ops for Kristine victims MOST READ LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Leon DBM OKs earlier release of gov’t workers’ yearend bonus, cash gift Tropical Storm Kong-rey to enter PAR on Sunday, to be named Leon LTO airs side on LTMS issue Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments

• more
• aurora game
• Messi
• Lionel
• earned