Why does a top footballer move to the US league of all places? Money is apparently a convincing argument: World champion Lionel Messi receives a guaranteed income of 20,446,667 US dollars (18,892,925 euros) at <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/01/emerson-rival-rodriguez-would-leave-millonarios-go-to-inter-miami-of-the-mls-concerns-replacement-colombian-soccer-betplay-league/" title="Emerson Rival Rodríguez would leave Millonarios, go to Inter Miami of the MLS, concerns replacement | Colombian Soccer | Betplay League”>Inter Miami, the winner of the MLS main round this season. The figures come from an overview published by the players’ union, which does not take sponsor payments into account.
The 37-year-old stands out in the USA shortly before his football retirement: He earns more than all professional footballers from 22 of the other 28 teams in Major League Soccer combined.
There is a surprise among the German players. After leaving Borussia Dortmund, Marco Reus will receive a guaranteed salary of $1,216,667 at Los Angeles Galaxy. He earns less than Marcel Hartel after his move from the then second division club FC St. Pauli to St. Louis City SC. Hartel has a guaranteed income of $2,183,113.
At $41.7 million, Miami’s roster is significantly more expensive to maintain than any other in the league. This is followed by Toronto with 31.8 million and the two teams from Los Angeles. The Galaxy players cost $22.1 million, LAFC pays $22 million in salaries. Otherwise, the professionals only earn more in total than Messi at Miami in Nashville ($21.9 million), Cincinnati (21 million) and Houston (20.5 million).
Apparently Messi’s commitment is also paying off for the club: Inter Miami is currently by far the league leader and has qualified for the Club World Cup.
