Argentina captain Lionel Messi remains Major League Soccer’s highest-paid player after signing a new contract extension with Inter Miami CF that keeps him with the club through the 2028 season.
The MLS Players Association released its latest salary figures on Tuesday, showing Messi earns an annual base salary of $25 million. His guaranteed compensation stands at $28.3 million.
The updated figures place Messi far ahead of the rest of the league. His base salary is more than double that of the second-highest paid player, Son Heung-min.
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The South Korean forward joined Los Angeles FC last August after leaving Tottenham Hotspur F.C.. Reports said LAFC paid a league-record transfer fee of around $26 million to sign him.
According to the salary data, Son earns a base salary of $10.36 million with total guaranteed compensation reaching $11.2 million.
The MLS Players Association figures do not include commercial endorsements or outside sponsorship income.
Messi’s compensation package also excludes his option to acquire a stake in Inter Miami, the Florida-based club co-owned by former England captain David Beckham.
Messi’s impact continues on and off the pitch
Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain F.C.. His arrival transformed the club’s global profile and boosted MLS television ratings, ticket sales and sponsorship revenues.
The 38-year-old forward has scored 59 goals in 64 MLS regular-season matches for Miami. He led the league with 29 goals last season and won the MLS Most Valuable Player award for the second straight year.
Messi is also preparing to lead Argentina national football team in its FIFA World Cup title defence next month.
Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul ranks third on the MLS salary list with guaranteed compensation of $9.7 million.
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Mexico international Hirving Lozano sits fourth with $9.3 million in guaranteed compensation despite not featuring for San Diego FC since November.
Miguel Almirón rounds out the top five earners. The Atlanta United FC midfielder receives guaranteed compensation of $7.9 million.
MLS spending rises as league targets global stars
The latest figures highlight MLS’s growing financial strength as clubs continue to attract established international players.
Total league compensation now stands at $631 million, according to the players union.
Average guaranteed compensation across MLS rose to $688,816. The figure marks an 8.9% increase from salary data released in October last year.
MLS clubs have increasingly targeted globally recognised players in recent seasons to expand the league’s international reach and commercial appeal.
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Messi’s arrival remains the biggest turning point for the league’s global visibility. Apple TV subscriptions for MLS Season Pass surged after his move to Miami, while stadium attendance records also climbed across several cities.
Inter Miami currently ranks among the league’s most valuable franchises, helped largely by Messi’s influence on and off the field.