Lionel Messi: The Game-Changer in MLS

In an electrifying twist, Inter Miami's forward Lionel Messi has stolen the spotlight in Major League Soccer (MLS) by becoming the highest-paid player in the league. The MLS Players Association revealed this groundbreaking news with Messi's jaw-dropping annual guaranteed compensation, setting a new record at $20.4 million.

However, this incredible figure doesn't even include the full extent of Messi's earnings. Earlier this year, Inter Miami's co-owner, Jorge Mas, disclosed to Spanish outlet El País that Messi's total compensation, which encompasses a share of the league's Apple TV deal, soars to an astonishing $50 million to $60 million range. This seismic arrival of Messi, along with fellow teammates Sergio Busquets ($1.775 million) and Jordi Alba ($1.25 million), has propelled Inter Miami to the pinnacle of the MLS team salary rankings. Their total guaranteed compensation now stands at an eye-popping $39.419 million, which is more than double the $18.88 million they were spending at this time last year.

Messi's guaranteed salary stands as a historic high in MLS, surpassing Toronto FC's Lorenzo Insigne, who claims the second spot on the list with $15.4 million. The list continues with the Chicago Fire's Xherdan Shaqiri at $8.15 million, the LA Galaxy's Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez at $7.44 million, and Toronto's Federico Bernardeschi at $6.3 million, making up the top five.

This data is as of September 15, 2023, with the salary information annualized for players like Messi, who joined the league during the summer transfer window. Messi's arrival has had a transformative impact, pushing the average guaranteed base compensation for the entire MLS player pool to $543,207, a robust 5.5% increase from the September 2022 figure of $514,729. Moreover, the bottom end of the wage scale has seen significant improvements, with the league's median guaranteed base compensation surging to $282,125, a remarkable 13.4% uptick from the September 2022 number of $248,688.

Currently, MLS and the MLSPA are in the third year of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which was originally established in February 2021 and extends through the end of the 2027 season.

In terms of team payroll, based on guaranteed base compensation, Toronto FC secures the second position after Inter Miami, with a total of $32.293 million. The LA Galaxy follows with $25.039 million, reigning MLS Cup champions LAFC with $20.841 million, and the Chicago Fire with $20.416 million.

On the other end of the spectrum, Orlando City boasts the lowest payroll at $9.643 million, partly due to the September transfer of forward Ercan Kara to Turkish side Samsunspor. It's followed by CF Montreal at $10.92 million, expansion team St. Louis City at $11.187 million, the New York Red Bulls at $11.331 million, and the Philadelphia Union at $13.291 million.

Interestingly, FC Cincinnati, the recent Supporters' Shield winners, lands in the 21st spot with a total guaranteed compensation of $14.349 million.

As we look at the current MLS standings leading up to Decision Day, it's worth noting that the three highest-spending teams - Miami, Toronto, and the Galaxy - will all miss the playoffs. Furthermore, Austin FC, which ranks sixth in spending at $19.166 million, is the only other team among the top 10 spenders that won't be participating in the postseason.

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