Lionel Messi continues to reign as the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer, commanding an annual base salary of $25m (£18.5m). This figure is more than double the salary of the next highest earner in the North American league.
Messi’s Lucrative Contract
The figures, released by the MLS Players Association, reflect Messi’s contract extension signed with Inter Miami in October. Messi turns 39 next month. The Argentina forward’s base salary has doubled.
Overall, the deal guarantees him $28.3m (£20.9m) in compensation.
Other Top Earners in MLS
LAFC’s Son Heung-min is the second-highest earner with a base salary of $10.4m (£7.7m) and $11.2m (£8.3m) guaranteed. The former Tottenham forward, who is 33, earns slightly more than Inter Miami’s Rodrigo de Paul and San Diego FC’s Hirving Lozano.
Lionel Messi and Rodrigo de Paul are among the top three earners in MLS.
Important Salary Details
It’s important to note that these salaries do not include income from endorsement deals. They also don’t include Messi’s option to acquire a stake in Inter Miami, which is co-owned by David Beckham.
Messi’s Impact on Inter Miami
Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 and has scored 59 goals in 64 regular-season MLS games. He helped Miami win the MLS Cup in 2025. He led the league with 29 goals last season and has been Most Valuable Player in each of the two full MLS seasons he has played so far – 2024 and 2025.
Inter Miami have even named a stand after the Argentina great.