Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has disclosed that Lionel Messi receives between $70million and $80million annually from the Florida-based club, setting up a stark financial contrast with his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo. Speaking to The Athletic, Mas explained: "The reason that I need to have sponsors and for them to be world class is because players are expensive." He added: "I pay Messi, worth every penny, but it's $70m to $80m a year. Across everything." The revelation places Messi's earnings at approximately £52m to £60m yearly, a substantial sum that nonetheless falls dramatically short of what the Portuguese forward commands in Saudi Arabia. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Ronaldo's current deal with Al-Nassr, signed last June and running until 2027, dwarfs his Argentine counterpart's package by a considerable margin. The Portuguese star's contract is valued at close to £178 million per year, roughly three times what Messi takes home from Inter Miami. This arrangement is widely considered the richest in the history of professional sport, with the 41-year-old pocketing approximately £488,000 in basic wages every single day. When factoring in bonuses, commercial partnerships and additional benefits, Ronaldo's total earnings over the two-year agreement could surpass £492 million. The financial gulf between football's two greatest modern players has never been more pronounced. Messi's compensation structure at Inter Miami comprises multiple elements beyond his headline figure. LATEST SPORTS NEWS: George Russell explains 'suspicion' immediately after winning Australian Grand Prix Pep Guardiola facing ban after Man City beat Newcastle in FA Cup Daniel Dubois makes announcement about his personal life as Fabio Wardley showdown creeps closer According to the MLS Players' Association, the Argentine receives a base salary of $12m alongside guaranteed compensation totalling $20.45m, which encompasses various bonuses. His agreement also incorporates a future ownership stake in the club, significantly enhancing the overall worth of his arrangement. The 38-year-old committed to a fresh three-year extension in October, tying him to Miami until 2028. His impact on the pitch has been transformative, with Messi leading the club to their 2025 MLS championship whilst netting 29 goals to claim the Golden Boot. He remains the league's highest-paid player by some distance. The salary disparity represents merely the latest chapter in one of sport's most celebrated rivalries. Between them, Messi and Ronaldo have accumulated 13 Ballon d'Or titles across nearly two decades of dominance, with the Argentine holding eight to his rival's five. Remarkably, the pair have occupied the top two positions in the prestigious award on nine separate occasions. Despite approaching the twilight of their careers at 38 and 41 respectively, both continue to represent their nations at the highest level. With the FIFA World Cup scheduled for this summer, Messi remains Argentina's central figure whilst Ronaldo continues captaining Portugal. Since arriving at Al-Nassr in the 2022/23 campaign, Ronaldo has found the net 121 times in 137 matches. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter