Lionel Messi Contract: Details, Duration and What It Means for Inter Miami

Lionel Messi recently extended his stay with Inter Miami by signing a new contract.

Lionel Messi has brought huge success to Inter Miami. / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Lionel Messi’s move to Major League Soccer team Inter Miami in 2023 was groundbreaking in more ways than one.

Not only did it see MLS and Miami secure the services of who many believe to be the greatest soccer player of all time, but the Argentine’s arrival marked a pivotal moment in the league’s history—boosting global visibility, breaking commercial records, and drawing massive crowds wherever he played.

And his deal with Miami wasn’t just about football; it became a blueprint for how major U.S. sports franchises can attract global icons, combining traditional salary with unique revenue-sharing incentives and brand partnerships.

There had been speculation over what the future held for the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner as his contract edged towards expiration, but a recent long-term extension with the Herons has allayed fears over any potential departure.

Here, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about Messi’s monumental Miami contract, including its length, worth, and significance for both the player and MLS.

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How Long Is Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami Contract?

Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023. / David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Messi joined Inter Miami midway through the 2023 season in June, signing a contract that would keep him at the club until the end of the 2025 MLS season.

Significant speculation had swirled regarding Messi’s future in recent weeks and months, with Miami unsurprisingly desperate to keep hold of the 38-year-old. Speaking in June 2025, Miami’s managing director Jorge Mas revealed his desire to keep the former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star in Florida for the 2026 season at least, which will mark Miami’s debut in its new stadium—Miami Freedom Park.

“I previously said that my wish, my dream would be for the No.10 to inaugurate our new stadium in March,” Mas said. ”This is a decision that rests on Messi. We wish for Messi to finish his career here. I said a few months ago that we should have news in the summer about that but hopefully it will be as soon as possible.”

Well, Mas certainly got his wish. On Oct. 23, Messi’s contract extension was officially confirmed, with the Argentine penning a three-year deal with Miami that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2028 MLS season.

“It makes me really happy to stay here and to continue with this project that, besides being a dream, has become a beautiful reality—playing in this stadium, at Miami Freedom Park,” said Messi after signing his extension. “Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve been very happy, so I’m truly glad to keep going here.

“We’re all really excited about the moment when we can finally play at Miami Freedom Park. We can’t wait for it to be finished—to experience it from the inside, in our new home, and for the fans to enjoy it as well. It’s going to be something very special to play at home in such a spectacular stadium.”

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Lionel Messi’s Salary and Financial Package

Messi earns big money in Miami. / Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images

While the new terms of Messi’s updated deal are yet to be revealed, his previous contract with Miami was the most lucrative in MLS history.

According to the MLS Players Association, the Argentine has been pocketing a base annual salary of $12 million, though he actually takes home $20,446,667 in guaranteed compensation. His earnings surpass the entire payroll of most other MLS teams.

On top of his regular earnings, however, Messi also received a signing bonus for joining Miami and will receive equity in the club upon his retirement—a unique feature in the sports contract landscape. According to Sportico, this brings the total value of his initial two-and-a-half-year package with Miami to $150 million.

Off the field in 2024, Messi earned an additional $79 million, reported Forbes, thanks to deals with Adidas, Hard Rock International, Apple TV, and others. The latter partnership sees him take a cut of MLS’s $250 million per year deal with the broadcaster.

As of now, it remains unclear whether Messi’s contract extension comes with an increased salary. However, considering his continued brilliance on the pitch and the massive financial boost he brings to both Inter Miami and MLS, a pay rise certainly wouldn’t be surprising.

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How Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami Contract Compares to Others

Cristiano Ronaldo’s salary dwarfs Messi’s. / Fayez Nureldine/AFP/Getty Images

While Messi's contract with Inter Miami is undoubtedly lucrative and unique in its structure, it is far from the biggest in soccer history.

In the summer of 2023, former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema signed a three-year contract with Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad, with Fabrizio Romano reporting the deal was worth $643 million over its duration.

Earlier that same year, Messi’s great rival Cristiano Ronaldo also made a high-profile move to Saudi Arabia, joining Al Nassr on a two-year deal, which in 2025 he extended by two further years. According to Transfermarkt, Ronaldo’s contract is valued at $216 million annually.

Messi's initial Miami contract isn’t even the largest he’s ever signed. In 2017, the Argentine agreed to a four-year deal with Barcelona worth a staggering $674 million.

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The Impact of Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami Contract

Messi’s impact is enormous. / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

While Miami is paying Messi some serious money, the veteran’s presence in MLS seems to have been a win for everyone involved—both on and off the field.

On it, Messi has helped Miami secure its first-ever trophies, lifting the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters’ Shield in 2024.

Off the field, Miami has attracted a new wave of local and global fans, leading to it revenue, according to ESPN, soaring from $50 to $60 million in 2022 to a projected figure of over $200 million in 2024. The club also saw a 72% increase in its overall value, rising to $1.03 billion—propelling it to 17th on Forbes’ list of the world's most valuable soccer teams.

Xavier Asensi, Inter Miami’s president of business operations, told ESPN that the difference in the club since signing Messi is “completely night and day.”

“What we are doing now with the team is totally on an international level,” he explained. “Now we are talking about the global interest. Now it is football, not soccer.”

MLS has also benefitted as a whole since Messi”s arrival, with the league achieving record-breaking milestones in attendance, sponsorship, retail, social media and digital media in 2024.

The league has also experienced a sponsorship boom, with sponsorship revenue for the league and its clubs reaching $665 million in 2024, a 13% increase from the previous year and a 44% rise compared to 2022.

Mas told the Miami Herald upon Miami signing Messi in 2023: “I think there will always be a before and after Messi when we talk about the sport in the United States.”

It seems he was right.

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