<p>Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are finalizing a megadeal worth up to $150 million to bring the superstar to MLS, <em>Sportico </em>reported Monday.</p>.<p>That figure consists of salary, signing bonus and equity in the club and runs through the 2025 season with an option for 2026, per <em>Sportico</em>. Revenue-sharing agreements with Adidas, Apple and Fanatics, all of which are MLS partners, are not included in the initial figure.</p>.<p>Messi already has a lifetime deal with Adidas, per <em>Forbes</em>.</p>.<p>MLS is not subsidizing the contract, and Messi will not have the same option to buy an MLS team that David Beckham received when he moved to MLS in 2007, <em>Sportico </em>reported. That option turned into Inter Miami, of which Beckham is a co-owner.</p>.<p>Messi, who turns 36 on Saturday, was the star of Argentina's 2022 World Cup championship team. He officially becomes a free agent at the end of this month when his contract at France's Paris Saint-Germain expires. He said on June 7 that he had selected Inter Miami over other overseas offers, including a reported $400 million a year to play at Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal.</p>.<p>He is expected to debut with Inter Miami on July 21 against Liga MX team Cruz Azul in a home Leagues Cup match.</p>.<p>Messi's new deal will add to his already vast wealth. He ranked second on Forbes' 2023 list of highest-paid athletes with $130 million in annual earnings -- half on the pitch and half in endorsements.</p>
<p>Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are finalizing a megadeal worth up to $150 million to bring the superstar to MLS, <em>Sportico </em>reported Monday.</p>.<p>That figure consists of salary, signing bonus and equity in the club and runs through the 2025 season with an option for 2026, per <em>Sportico</em>. Revenue-sharing agreements with Adidas, Apple and Fanatics, all of which are MLS partners, are not included in the initial figure.</p>.<p>Messi already has a lifetime deal with Adidas, per <em>Forbes</em>.</p>.<p>MLS is not subsidizing the contract, and Messi will not have the same option to buy an MLS team that David Beckham received when he moved to MLS in 2007, <em>Sportico </em>reported. That option turned into Inter Miami, of which Beckham is a co-owner.</p>.<p>Messi, who turns 36 on Saturday, was the star of Argentina's 2022 World Cup championship team. He officially becomes a free agent at the end of this month when his contract at France's Paris Saint-Germain expires. He said on June 7 that he had selected Inter Miami over other overseas offers, including a reported $400 million a year to play at Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal.</p>.<p>He is expected to debut with Inter Miami on July 21 against Liga MX team Cruz Azul in a home Leagues Cup match.</p>.<p>Messi's new deal will add to his already vast wealth. He ranked second on Forbes' 2023 list of highest-paid athletes with $130 million in annual earnings -- half on the pitch and half in endorsements.</p>