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Jeff Carlisle
LAFC’s Son Heung-Min has joined Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi as the only players in MLS to earn more than $10 million annually. Son, acquired this summer by LAFC, has a guaranteed salary of $11.2 million, while Messi tops that at $20.4 million.
This information was released by the MLS Players Association on Wednesday.
The reported figures account solely for player salaries, including marketing bonuses and agent fees, and do not consider additional team agreements or performance incentives.
Messi also enjoys revenue from endorsement deals, like his contract with Adidas, and a revenue-sharing arrangement with Apple’s broadcasting services.
According to Sportico, over the course of his 2½-year contract, Messi could earn up to $150 million before it expires at the end of this season. He recently extended his contract with Inter Miami to remain through the end of the 2028 season after clinching the Golden Boot with 29 goals in 28 matches.
Son’s contract with LAFC is set to run through 2027, with options potentially extending it until 2029.
The top five highest-paid players in MLS include Messi’s teammate Sergio Busquets at $8.8 million, followed by Atlanta United’s Miguel Almirón earning $6.1 million, and San Diego’s Hirving Lozano at $6 million.
All salary data is accurate as of October 1, 2025, and was annualized for players acquired during the summer transfer window.
Inter Miami leads the league in total team expenditures, with a record $48.97 million following the midseason signing of Rodrigo DePaul, although it fell short of claiming a consecutive Supporters’ Shield, which was won by the low-spending Philadelphia Union.
Miami’s spending is over twice what the other 27 teams in the league spend on average.
In team payroll, LAFC ranks second at $30.1 million, with Atlanta United next at $28.48 million, followed by FC Cincinnati at $23.19 million and Chicago Fire at $23.11 million.
CF Montreal recorded the lowest payroll at $12.92 million, with FC Dallas at $13.15 million, Philadelphia Union at $13.43 million, Toronto FC at $13.65 million, and Minnesota United at $14.54 million.
The average expenditure per team reached $19.69 million, an increase of 7% from last season’s $18.41 million, while the median spending rose by 8% to $18.01 million compared to $16.68 million previously.
A significant decline was noted for Toronto FC, whose expenditure dropped from $31.81 million in 2024 to $13.65 million in 2025, largely due to the midseason exits of designated players Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi.
The average guaranteed base salary across all MLS players, including pool and retired players, has seen a yearly increase to $632,809, up 6.1% from September 2024’s $596,226. Entry-level player salaries are also on the rise, with the median compensation now at $338,347, reflecting a 9.7% increment from last year’s $308,375.
MLS and the MLSPA are currently in the fifth year of their collective bargaining agreement, established in February 2021, which runs until the end of the 2027 season.
Total Expenditure per Team:
1. Inter Miami – $48.97 million
2. LAFC – $30.1 million
3. Atlanta United – $28.48 million
4. FC Cincinnati – $23.19 million
5. Chicago Fire – $23.11 million
6. Nashville SC – $22.44 million
7. Portland Timbers – $22.44 million
8. LA Galaxy – $22.26 million
9. San Diego FC – $22.25 million
10. New York Red Bulls – $22.07 million
11. Columbus Crew – $19.22 million
12. New England Revolution – $19.11 million
13. Charlotte FC – $19.02 million
14. New York City FC – $18.84 million
15. Seattle Sounders – $18.25 million
16. Vancouver Whitecaps – $17.77 million
17. Sporting Kansas City – $17.61 million
18. San Jose Earthquakes – $17.08 million
19. St. Louis City SC – $16.93 million
20. Houston Dynamo – $16.77 million
21. Orlando City – $16.11 million
22. Austin FC – $15.68 million
23. Real Salt Lake – $15.66 million
24. DC United – $14.92 million
25. Colorado Rapids – $14.63 million
26. Minnesota United – $14.54 million
27. Toronto FC – $13.65 million
28. Philadelphia Union – $13.43 million
29. FC Dallas – $13.15 million
30. CF Montreal – $12.92 million