Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has been recognized as the highest-paid player in MLS with a guaranteed salary and all bonuses totaling $20.45 million, as reported by the league's players' association.
This sum is only part of Messi's earnings and it does not include other sources of income, such as his advertising deal with a sportswear company and revenue-sharing agreement with the league's broadcast partner, ESPN notes.
In second place on this list is Toronto forward Lorenzo Insigne with a salary of $15.44 million, followed by Messi's Inter Miami teammate Sergio Busquets with earnings of $8.77 million.
Chicago Fire's Xherdan Shaqiri is in fourth place with a salary of $8.15 million, followed by Austin's forward Sebastian Driussi earning $6.72 million.
Messi moved to the American club last summer. During this time, he has played 26 matches for Inter Miami in all competitions, scoring 23 goals and providing 16 assists.
