Lionel Messi continues to be the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer, earning an annual base salary of $25 million (£18.5 million), which is more than double that of the league’s next highest-paid athlete.
Recent figures from the MLS Players Association reveal details of Messi’s contract extension, which he signed with Inter Miami in October. Messi, who will turn 39 next month, has seen his base salary double, with the total deal valued at $28.3 million (£20.9 million) in guaranteed compensation.
Advertisement
LAFC’s Son Heung-min holds the position of the second-highest earner, with a base salary of $10.4 million (£7.7 million) and guaranteed earnings of $11.2 million (£8.3 million). The former Tottenham forward earns slightly more than Inter Miami’s Rodrigo de Paul and Hirving Lozano of San Diego FC.
It’s important to note that these salaries do not include endorsement income or Messi’s option to buy a stake in Inter Miami, which is co-owned by David Beckham.
Since joining the Florida franchise in 2023, Messi has scored 59 goals in 64 regular-season MLS matches, contributing to Miami’s victory in the MLS Cup in 2025.
Advertisement
He led the league with 29 goals last season and was named Most Valuable Player in both full MLS seasons he’s participated in thus far – 2004 and 2005.