Top 5 Highest Paid MLS Players After Messi’s Record Breaking Inter Miami Salary

• Lionel Messi is settling well into life in Major League Soccer after sealing his move to Inter Miami
• The veteran scored in his first two games as his new side progressed to the Leagues Cup's last 32
• Messi's salary is the highest in MLS history after turning down a world-record wage in Saudi Arabia

Lionel Messi turned down a world-record salary of $1.6 billion from Saudi Arabian club, Al-Hilal, to join Inter Miami in Major League Soccer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.

The veteran is settling well into life at the Floridian franchise and has three goals in two games, including a last-minute match-winning free kick on debut against Cruz Azul.

Messi earns a record-breaking salary in the USA. Sports Brief looks at the others in the top six earners of the American soccer league.

1. Lionel Messi

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Inter Miami co-owner, Jorge Mas, confirmed to Forbes the star's salary is between $50mil and $60mil, taken to be $54mil annually. This is Messi's base salary, as he is also set to earn percentages from Apple TV's MLS pass and Adidas merchandise sales.

2. Sergio Busquets

The Spanish midfielder reunited with his former teammate, Messi, after agreeing to leave Barcelona after 17 years. According to Marca, he will earn $10mil per season. Another former teammate, Jordi Alba, has also joined the Miami-based outfit.

3. Lorenzo Insigne

The former Napoli talisman joined Toronto FC last summer after 12 years in Italy and was placed on a yearly salary of $14mil. He recently took an almost 50% pay cut and now receives $7.5mil, which still makes him one of the highest earners.

4. Xherdan Shaqiri

The Swiss winger left Europe last year and joined Chicago Fire after just a year with Olympique Lyonnais. He earns a reported salary of $7.35mil per year for the Illinois-based franchise.

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5. Federico Bernardeschi

The Italian attacker surprisingly left Juventus last year to join Toronto FC. He earns a decent salary of $6.3mil per year. Football Italia reported that he is open to a return to Italy with Bologna interested, as the Ohio-based club can no longer afford to keep him.

6. Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez

The Mexican forward has been at David Beckham's former club, LA Galaxy, since leaving Europe after a brief spell with Sevilla in 2020. As the club's captain, he earns $6.1mil to place sixth on the list of the MLS' highest earners.

Nadal stylishly settles GOAT debate

Sports Brief also reported on Rafael Nadal's stylish answer to a fan when asked to give his thoughts on the debate on who the greatest football player of all time is.

The tennis star picked Messi but noted his alliance with Spanish club, Real Madrid, where Cristiano Ronaldo played for nine years and won four Ballon d'Or awards.