Lionel Messi’s recent move to Inter Miami has certainly raised questions about the MLS record signing’s salary in comparison with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.
Apart from their on-field brilliance, the comparison extends to their off-field earnings as well. With Lionel Messi’s recent move to Inter Miami and Cristiano Ronaldo’s signing with Al-Nassr, their salaries have become a topic of immense interest. Delving into the details of their contracts, let’s explore the differences in their salaries, weekly wages, and add-ons
Inter Miami’s co-owner, Jorge Mas, disclosed that Lionel Messi‘s yearly income would fall between $50 million and $60 million upon joining the club. Should he receive the lower end of this range, he would immediately become the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer (MLS), outearning the current top earner, Xherdan Shaqiri, by over $40 million.
Messi’s contract with Inter Miami spans two and a half years and is said to be worth up to $150 million, including his salary, signing bonus, and equity in the team.
Reports suggest that Lionel Messi will be receiving additional revenue-sharing agreements with Adidas, Apple, and others. In return, these sponsors will benefit from the boost in earnings resulting from Messi’s participation in MLS.
While Messi’s earnings are staggering by MLS standards, they pale in comparison to his long-time rival, Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese star is reportedly earning an astronomical $75 million salary since joining Al-Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s earnings consist of a base salary, image rights, and commercial deals, with potential additional income from endorsing Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2030 World Cup. Ronaldo’s overall annual income is a whopping £177 million ($215 million), making him the highest-paid athlete in the world.
In comparing their salaries, it becomes evident that Ronaldo’s yearly earnings are nearly three times higher than Messi’s. While Messi’s yearly income stands at £47.7 million ($58 million), Ronaldo’s reaches an astounding £177 million ($215 million). This translates to a staggering difference of £70 million ($85 million) annually in favor of Ronaldo. Messi was still able to beat Ronaldo when it comes to the worldwide views during his unveiling at Inter Miami.
Ultimately, both Messi and Ronaldo have secured eye-watering salaries, befitting their status as two of the greatest players in the history of football. While Messi’s earnings at Inter Miami make him the highest-paid player in MLS, he still falls short of Ronaldo’s astronomical wages at Al-Nassr.
