NEW DELHI: Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are in the final stages of negotiating a massive deal worth up to $150 million, aiming to bring the football superstar to Major League Soccer (MLS), according to Sportico’s report on Monday.
The proposed agreement encompasses various components, including salary, signing bonus, and equity in the club. The contract is set to run through the 2025 season, with an option for 2026. However, the initial figure does not incorporate revenue-sharing agreements with MLS partners such as Adidas, Apple, and Fanatics.
It’s worth noting that Messi already has a lifetime deal with Adidas, as reported by Forbes.
The reported contract is not subsidized by MLS, and Messi will not have the same opportunity to purchase an MLS team that David Beckham received when he joined the league in 2007. Beckham’s option led to the establishment of Inter Miami, in which he is a co-owner.
Messi, who will turn 36 this Saturday, recently played a pivotal role in Argentina’s victory at the 2022 World Cup. His current contract with Paris Saint-Germain in France will expire at the end of this month, making him a free agent. On June 7, Messi announced that he had chosen Inter Miami over other international offers, including a reported $400 million per year to play for Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal.
If the deal is finalized, Messi is expected to make his debut for Inter Miami on July 21 in a home Leagues Cup match against Liga MX team Cruz Azul.

Adding to his already considerable wealth, Messi’s new contract will further enhance his financial status. As of Forbes’ 2023 ranking of highest-paid athletes, he held the second position with annual earnings of $130 million, divided equally between on-field earnings and endorsements.
(With inputs from Reuters)