After Lionel Messi Became Highest-Paid Athlete in US, $150 Million Ex-Teammate Expects to Emulate Him With a Michael Jordan-Like Contract

In soccer dynamics, transfer fees and player salaries are reaching new heights every transfer window. Yes, governing bodies have played their parts with Financial Fair Play regulations. But the clubs are always on the lookout for the loophole in those regulations. Meanwhile, a few clubs are innovating their offers, including other aspects, like the unique one Inter Miami offered to Lionel Messi.

David Beckham’s club wasn’t in a position to match what Al Hilal was offering to the Argentine. Miami tweaked its offer. The club included a share of the profits of Apple TV and Adidas apart from a $55 million offer. The report further claims he might get to buy stakes in Inter Miami at a discounted offer. 

The $55 million offer makes Lionel Messi the highest-paid athlete on US soil. Messi’s reported $55 million earnings include salary, signing bonus, and equity in the team. Messi won’t be getting over a billion dollars upfront (proposed by Al Hilal over three years) but have the potential to earn more in the future with the Argentine set to get equity in Beckham’s club.

And now his former PSG teammate wants to emulate Messi’s contract, which includes a share of income from sponsors’ profit.

Kylian Mbappe eyeing contract conditions similar to Lionel Messi

Mbappe continues to shine with his scintillating on-field displays. The Frenchman has won several accolades at 24, including the coveted FIFA World Cup. His performances got him international acclaim. Who can forget a blockbuster contract at PSG that has given him a sizeable bank balance? The former AS Monaco prodigy ditched Real Madrid last summer to bag enormous contracts from Parisians.

PSG offered him over $78 million gross salary, around $163 million signing bonuses, and $185 million loyalty bonuses for his first two seasons (2022-23 and 2023-24). That’s some contract. But the French superstar is again in the news and wrote to PSG he won’t extend beyond 2024. It caused a scuffle between the club and the player’s entourage.

PSG doesn’t want to lose Mbappe for free next season. They sent an ultimatum to the player either he renews or leaves this summer. Real Madrid is again in the picture for Lionel Messi’s former teammate. But getting Mbappe won’t be easy, as the player wants a blockbuster offer from his next club. He wants a similar deal to Lionel Messi, earning him a share of profits from the club’s sponsors.

READ MORE: After Lionel Messi’s $55 Million Move to Inter Miami, Here’s the Mammoth Taxes Set for Highest-Paid Athlete on US Soil

The reports also claim Mbappe eyes an endorsement deal like NBA great Michael Jordan with Nike. He also wants part of his image rights. Only time will tell whether the PSG superstar gets such an offer. It’s no secret that Real Madrid wants Mbappe, but will they go that far? 

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Will the latest innovative offer to Lionel Messi change the dynamics of transfers in the future?