Lionel Messi has signed a groundbreaking contract with Inter Miami, which reportedly offers him an annual salary of $50-60 million.

This figure represents the highest annual contract value ever seen in Major League Soccer, according to ClutchPoints.

The agreement spans 2.5 years and includes Messi's signing bonus and equity in Inter Miami. On top of this, Messi will receive significant additional compensation from MLS's major partners, including Apple, Adidas, and Fanatics.

Compared to the top contracts in other major American sports leagues like the NBA and NFL, Messi's salary of $50 million annually is at the upper limit. Aside from Messi, the highest earner among all MLS players is Xherdan Shaqiri of the Chicago Fire, who will earn $8.2 million for the 2023 season.

Messi's contract structure parallels the deal signed by David Beckham with LA Galaxy in 2007. Beckham's contract included a clause that granted him the option to purchase an MLS expansion team upon retirement, which led to his current ownership of Inter Miami.

While Messi's deal far surpasses any other contracts in MLS, it is worth noting that he had an even more lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, which was prepared to pay him a staggering $1.5 billion over three years.

Such an exorbitant contract would not make economic sense from a practical standpoint.

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Lionel Messi Saudi Arabia Tourism Deal

Lionel Messi, renowned as one of the greatest soccer players in the world, has entered a lucrative brand ambassador partnership with Saudi Arabia.

The contract stipulates the terms and obligations of Messi's role in promoting the country. Over three years, Messi stands to earn up to 22.5 million euros (approximately $25 million) for a relatively limited scope of work.

His responsibilities primarily involve occasional commercial appearances, engaging in social media posts, and enjoying fully-funded vacations to Saudi Arabia with his family.

During these trips, he is expected to share photos marked with a hashtag approved by Saudi officials to captivate his extensive online following.

However, an essential condition within the contract prohibits Messi from making any statements or participating in activities that could damage the reputation of Saudi Arabia.

Lionel Messi Career

Lionel Messi, the highly sought-after Argentina football player, has made significant strides in his career since his early days, StyleCaster noted.

He quickly rose to prominence after making his professional debut for Barcelona FC at 17.

At 22, he secured his first Ballon d'Or award, and he went on to claim this prestigious honor for four consecutive years. Messi's remarkable tenure at Barcelona spanned over 16 years.

However, in 2020, Barcelona announced their financial struggles, rendering them unable to meet Messi's salary demands. As a result, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, donning their jersey for the next phase of his career.

In a significant announcement, Messi revealed that the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar would mark his final participation in the tournament, sparking speculation about his next destination.

News surfaced that Messi had chosen to sign with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami, turning down an offer from Saudi Arabia.

In an interview with the Spanish publication Sport, Messi confirmed his decision, stating that he intended to join Miami. While some details are still being finalized, he expressed his commitment to embarking on this new chapter in his career.

READ MORE: Lionel Messi Height 

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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