Lionel Messi Outearns Entire Squads of 22 MLS Teams – Including Crunching the Numbers
In a shocking revelation, the latest salary data from Major League Soccer (MLS) has revealed that Inter Miami’s super-star player, Lionel Messi, earns more than the entire payrolls of 22 other MLS teams. And that’s not all – his total compensation is also the highest in the league, surpassing even some of the biggest-spending teams.
According to the MLS Players Union, Messi’s base salary is a whopping $12 million, with an additional $20,446,667 in total compensation, including marketing bonuses and agent fees. And get this – his annualized salary is a staggering $32,446,667, a figure that eclipses the combined salaries of many teams in the league.
But Messi isn’t the only big earner in the league. Olivier Giroud, who recently joined Los Angeles FC, has a $2.8 million annualized salary, while teammate Sergio Busquets comes in second with a whopping $8,499,996 in total compensation.
The league’s top-spending team, Miami, leads the way with a record $41.7 million payroll, more than double the next closest team, Toronto FC, with $31.8 million. Other big spenders include LA FC, the LA Galaxy, and Nashville SC, who all boast payrolls exceeding $20 million.
But what about the teams that are struggling to make ends meet? Teams like Montreal, Philadelphia, and Dallas, who have payrolls of just $11.4 million, $13.8 million, and $13.9 million, respectively. The gap between the haves and have-nots in the league is growing, and it’s only going to get more defined as the season wears on.
So, what can we take away from these eye-popping figures? For one, the league’s top teams are willing to break the bank to attract (and keep) top talent, while smaller-market teams are forced to be more frugal. And for fans, it’s a mixed bag – while they get to see their favorite stars in action, there’s a real concern that the league’s financial disparities could lead to an uneven playing field.
So, what’s the takeaway from all this? The next time you’re riveted to your seat watching Messi or Giroud take on the pitch, remember – there’s a huge gulf between the haves and have-nots of the MLS. And if you’re part of a team on the lower end of the scale, don’t worry – the politicians and vocal few may have your back, but the real question is – how can we bridge this growing chasm?
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