Messi Earns $12M at Inter Miami, Dwarfing De Paul's $3.6M Contract

Lionel Messi's record-setting MLS salary highlights the pay gap with teammate Rodrigo De Paul

Feb. 1, 2026 at 8:47pm

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Lionel Messi has become the highest-paid player in MLS since joining Inter Miami in 2023, earning a staggering $12 million per year in base salary. In comparison, his teammate Rodrigo De Paul, who joined the club in 2025, has a much lower total compensation package of $3.62 million annually, including bonuses and other earnings.

Why it matters

The stark contrast between Messi and De Paul's salaries at Inter Miami highlights the significant pay disparity that exists in MLS, even among star players on the same team. This raises questions about the league's salary structure and whether it can sustainably support high-profile signings like Messi while also compensating other key players.

The details

Messi's $12 million base salary makes him the highest-paid player in MLS history, dwarfing the $1.5 million base salary of his teammate Rodrigo De Paul. Even with bonuses and additional compensation, De Paul's total earnings of $3.62 million per year are less than a third of Messi's. This pay gap is especially pronounced when compared to De Paul's previous contract with Atlético Madrid, where he earned a gross annual salary of €6.67 million (approximately $7.77 million).

  • Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023.
  • Rodrigo De Paul signed with Inter Miami in the 2025 summer transfer window.
  • De Paul's contract with Inter Miami runs through December 2029.

The players

Lionel Messi

A legendary Argentine footballer who is the highest-paid player in MLS, earning a base salary of $12 million per year with Inter Miami.

Rodrigo De Paul

An Argentine midfielder who joined Inter Miami in 2025 on a contract that pays him a base salary of $1.5 million per year, a significant decrease from his previous deal with Atlético Madrid.

Sergio Busquets

A Spanish midfielder who left Inter Miami, freeing up salary cap space and financial flexibility for the club.

Jordi Alba

A Spanish defender who also departed Inter Miami, contributing to the club's ability to sign Rodrigo De Paul.

Germán Berterame

A newly signed Designated Player for Inter Miami, joining Messi and De Paul as part of the club's group of highest-paid players.

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What’s next

As Inter Miami continues to build its roster, the club will need to carefully manage its salary structure to ensure it can retain key players like Rodrigo De Paul while also accommodating high-profile signings like Lionel Messi.

The takeaway

The stark pay gap between Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul at Inter Miami highlights the challenges MLS faces in balancing the need to attract global superstars with the league's overall salary structure and parity. This raises questions about the long-term sustainability of such lopsided compensation models within the league.