Lionel Messi's decision to come to the United States and play in Major League Soccer as arguably the greatest player in the sport's history gave the league quite the international headline and generated even more attention.

And he is getting paid accordingly.

ESPN's Jeff Carlisle cited the latest MLS player salary data that was released Thursday and noted the Inter Miami star's annual guaranteed compensation of $20.4 million is more than the payroll of 22 other teams in the league.

That $20.4 million total is just his salary, and Carlisle pointed out Miami co-owner Jorge Mas previously said he is paid between $50 and $60 million in all with part of his compensation coming from the league's Apple TV deal.

Given Messi's contract and Sergio Busquets checking in as the league's third-highest paid player at $8.77 million, it comes at no surprise Inter Miami spent more than any other team in the league.

And the gap wasn't even close, as its $41.7 million was nearly $10 million ahead of Toronto FC and more than double the amount spent by 23 different teams in the league.

Here are the 10 teams that spent the most money this season:

1. Inter Miami - $41.7 million
2. Toronto FC - $31.81 million
3. LAFC - $22.08 million
4. LA Galaxy - $21.96 million
5. Nashville SC - $21.86 million
6. FC Cincinnati - $20.95 million
7. Houston Dynamo - $20.52 million
8. New England Revolution - $18.88 million
9. New York Red Bulls - $18.08 million
10. Austin FC - $17.60 million

While Inter Miami won the Supporters' Shield with an MLS-record 74 points this season, not every team that spent a significant amount of money even made the playoffs. Toronto FC, Nashville SC, New England Revolution and Austin FC didn't make the field despite being in the top 10 in money spent.

All of them spent more than the Columbus Crew, who are the defending MLS Cup champions and arguably Inter Miami's biggest threat in the upcoming playoffs. They checked in at 16th with $16.57 million in total spent but finished with the second-most points in the league with 66.

They also defeated Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup on the way to the title in that in-season tournament and could face Messi and Co. in a rematch in the Eastern Conference Final.

Of course, defeating Inter Miami will be much easier said than done in the playoffs, as teams will have to figure out a way to counter Messi. He is right in the middle of the MVP race despite playing in just 19 of his team's 34 regular-season games and finished with a head-turning 20 goals and 16 assists.

He already helped his club take home the Supporters' Shield and will now look to win the MLS Cup and further deliver on his notable contract.