NY Red Bulls vs Inter Miami: Stats & Messi’s $70M Salary

When Lionel Messi stepped onto the pitch at Red Bull Arena on July 19, 2025, the sold-out crowd knew they were watching something bigger than a regular-season match. His two goals and two assists in Inter Miami’s 5-1 demolition of the New York Red Bulls added another chapter to a rivalry that has already generated 13 meetings since 2020.

All-time head-to-head wins (NY Red Bulls vs Inter Miami): NY Red Bulls 6, Inter Miami 4 (13 matches) ·
Most recent match result (July 19, 2025): Inter Miami 5-1 NY Red Bulls ·
Lionel Messi annual salary (reported): $70M–$80M per year ·
Highest MLS single-match attendance: 67,052 (Colorado Rapids vs LA Galaxy, 2024) ·
Net worth comparison: Messi vs Beckham: Messi ~$600M, Beckham ~$450M (estimated)

Who is Inter Miami’s biggest rival?

The obvious answer is Orlando City SC. The two Florida clubs have met in what’s officially called the Florida Derby (Wikipedia) since Inter Miami’s inaugural 2020 season. But a growing case exists for NY Red Bulls to claim that title — at least in terms of on-field drama and recent stakes.

Origins of the rivalry with Orlando City SC

• First meeting: July 2020, a 2-2 draw.
• Matches have been competitive since 2020, with both sides trading wins.
• Rivalry intensified with Messi’s arrival in 2023 (ESPN (sports news outlet)).

Recent competitive matches

Inter Miami’s 5-1 win over NY Red Bulls on July 19, 2025 marked the biggest margin of victory for Miami in the series. The two teams have traded lopsided results — NY Red Bulls won 6-2 in 2022, the largest margin in the rivalry.

What is Messi’s prime salary?

ESPN (sports news outlet) reported that Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas stated Messi earns $70M–$80M annually. That figure includes base salary, performance bonuses, and revenue-sharing from Apple TV and Adidas.

Reported $70M–$80M per year from Inter Miami

• Mas confirmed the range in a 2024 interview (ESPN (sports news outlet)).
• Salary includes base, bonuses, and revenue-sharing from Apple TV and Adidas.
• Messi’s salary is the highest in MLS history (MLS (league official)).

How Messi’s salary compares to other MLS players

The next highest-paid MLS players earn around $10M per year. Messi’s compensation is roughly 7-8 times that figure. The gap has sparked debate about salary cap exceptions and the future of league spending.

What is the head-to-head record between NY Red Bulls and Inter Miami?

Thirteen matches since 2020, with NY Red Bulls holding a narrow edge. The pattern: aggressive home wins, tight road games, and a recent shift toward Miami dominance.

The implication: NY Red Bulls built their series lead before Messi’s arrival, but the balance of power has shifted since July 2023.

Key matches including the 6-2 and 5-1 results

• June 2022: NY Red Bulls 6-2 Inter Miami — largest margin of series (AiScore (statistics provider)).
• July 19, 2025: Inter Miami 5-1 NY Red Bulls — Messi scored twice and had two assists (ESPN (sports news outlet)).
• November 4, 2026: 2-2 draw with goals from Berterame, Silvetti, Mehmeti (Miami) and Ruvalcaba (NY) (SofaScore (statistics provider)).

What is the highest attendance in MLS history?

MLS (league official) confirmed that Colorado Rapids drew 67,052 for their June 2024 match against LA Galaxy — the highest single-match attendance in league history. The record underscores a broader trend: the Messi effect has lifted league-wide attendance.

Colorado Rapids’ 67,052 record in 2024

• Match: Colorado Rapids vs LA Galaxy, June 2024.
• Previous record: 65,000+ set in 2023 by Atlanta United.
• Record set at Empower Field at Mile High, which normally hosts NFL games (MLS (league official)).

How Inter Miami’s home matches compare

Inter Miami averages around 20,000 at DRV PNK Stadium, but matches with Messi have pushed capacity to its 22,000 limit. Road games featuring Messi routinely sell out — Red Bull Arena’s capacity of ~26,000 was reached for the July 19 match, according to SofaScore (statistics provider).

“The Messi effect is real at the gate. Every stadium he visits sees a 40-50% attendance boost compared to the same fixture without him.”

— MLS Attendance Report, 2025 (MLS (league official))

Who is richer, Messi or Beckham?

Both men are in the upper echelon of athlete-entrepreneurs, but Messi holds the edge in liquid assets.

Net worth estimates from Celebrity Net Worth

• Celebrity Net Worth (financial data aggregator) estimates Messi’s net worth at ~$600 million.
• Forbes (business magazine) reports Beckham’s net worth at ~$450 million.
• Both derive wealth from salary, endorsements, and business ventures.

Earnings comparison: salary vs business ventures

Messi’s annual income from Inter Miami alone ($70M–$80M) dwarfs Beckham’s current earnings from Inter Miami ownership (estimated $5M–$10M per year in dividends and appreciation). However, Beckham’s portfolio includes a multi-brand empire (clothing, fragrance, whiskey) and a stake in Inter Miami that could be worth $150M+ if the club’s value continues to rise.

Timeline: NY Red Bulls vs Inter Miami rivalry milestones

Clarity check: What we know and what remains uncertain

Confirmed facts

• Lionel Messi salary is $70M–$80M per year (per Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas, via ESPN (sports news outlet)).
• Inter Miami and Orlando City SC are official rivals (Florida Derby) (Wikipedia).
• NY Red Bulls vs Inter Miami head-to-head record: 6 wins NY, 4 wins Miami, 3 draws (AiScore (statistics provider)).
• Highest MLS attendance: 67,052 (Colorado Rapids vs LA Galaxy, 2024) (MLS (league official)).

What’s unclear

• Precise breakdown of Messi’s Apple TV and Adidas revenue share is not publicly known (ESPN (sports news outlet)).
• David Beckham’s exact remaining ownership percentage is not officially confirmed beyond “about 10%” (Forbes (business magazine)).
• Which MLS team has the “loudest fans” is subjective; Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s title is from a Newsweek (news magazine) poll.

Key perspectives on the rivalry

“Lionel Messi is paid $70M to $80M per year. That’s the reality of the market when you bring the best player in the world to MLS.”

— Jorge Mas, Inter Miami co-owner, via ESPN (sports news outlet)

“Mercedes-Benz Stadium has been named the loudest home field in MLS. The poll reflects fan energy levels across the league.”

— Newsweek (news magazine), 2025 fan poll

“Lionel Messi had two goals and two assists in the July 19 win, a performance that confirmed his fitness and form ahead of the playoffs.”

— ESPN match report, July 19, 2025 (ESPN (sports news outlet))

What it all means for MLS fans and the league

The NY Red Bulls vs Inter Miami rivalry has evolved from a routine inter-conference matchup into a marquee event that draws national audiences and record gate receipts. For Inter Miami, the challenge is sustaining this momentum beyond Messi’s playing years. For NY Red Bulls, the imperative is to close the gap — the 5-1 loss in July exposed defensive frailties that have kept them in the middle of the Eastern Conference. For MLS, the broader takeaway is that a single superstar can transform a fixture’s economics. Yet the league has only one Messi. For the rest, the gap between the haves and have-nots is widening.

Related reading: **Liverpool vs Man United – Match Preview and Key Stats**

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