Suarez’s Modest Salary for Messi Reunion at Inter Miami
Reports indicate that Luis Suarez is poised to receive a relatively modest annual salary of $200,000 upon joining Inter Miami, significantly overshadowed by Lionel Messi’s substantial earnings.
In an effort to reunite two former Barcelona colleagues in Florida, Inter Miami is strategizing to navigate around the salary regulations stipulated by the MLS. Teams in the premier tier of American soccer are permitted three Designated Players (DP), who can earn salaries surpassing the club’s salary cap.
Currently, the three designated spots at DRV PNK Stadium are filled by the eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient Messi, former Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets, and Brazilian midfielder Gregore. Should Suarez’s potential move to the United States as a free agent come to fruition, he is expected to assume a similar standing.
However, reports from The Mirror suggest that the experienced Uruguayan striker, cutting ties with Brazilian outfit Gremio, is set to receive a mere $200,000 per annum. This is because Inter Miami intends to leverage Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) to keep Suarez’s salary below the DP threshold.
MLS clubs can utilize their annual TAM allocation to diminish existing contracts and create space for higher-earning players. It appears Suarez is content with this arrangement to reunite with Messi once more. Meanwhile, Messi is negotiating a contract valued at a minimum of $50 million (£40m) annually, supplemented by deals with adidas and Apple TV.
