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Jeff Carlisle
Contributors
Inter Miami’s forward Lionel Messi has retained his status as the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer for the third consecutive year, receiving a substantial pay increase this season.
According to information released by the MLS Players Association, Messi’s total guaranteed compensation for this season stands at $28.33 million, an increase from $20.45 million in 2025.
As in previous years, this figure represents only the compensation received for playing. Last October, Messi signed a contract extension that extends through the 2028 season.
Inter Miami’s owner, Jorge Mas, reported to Bloomberg in March that Messi’s annual income, including endorsements, ranges between $70-$80 million. After retirement, he is expected to gain an equity stake in the club.
LAFC‘s Son Heung-min ranks second with a guaranteed compensation of $11.15 million, followed closely by Messi’s Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul at $9.6 million. San Diego FC‘s Hirving “Chucky” Lozano takes the fourth spot with $9.33 million, despite not having played a single minute this season. Atlanta United’s Miguel Almirón rounds out the top five at $7.87 million.
The players’ union typically releases salary information twice a year.
Inter Miami continues to lead the league in terms of total guaranteed compensation per team, with a staggering total of $54.57 million, which surpasses the previous league record of $7.7 million set last year.
This amount is more than double that of all but two other teams. LAFC’s total compensation stands at $32.65 million, followed by Atlanta United at $27.88 million, LA Galaxy at $26.43 million, and the Vancouver Whitecaps — currently for sale and facing potential relocation — at $24.56 million.
The Philadelphia Union, reigning Supporters Shield champions, are the lowest spenders in the league with $11.70 million, followed by Sporting Kansas City ($12.36 million), CF Montreal ($13.42 million), Orlando City ($13.73 million), and Colorado Rapids ($14.13 million).
The average guaranteed compensation across the player pool is $688,816, reflecting a 6.1% increase from last year’s figure of $649,199. Meanwhile, the median salary growth has slowed, rising 3.6% from $339,876 to $352,104. Currently, 133 players earn guaranteed compensation of at least $1 million, with an increase from 131 in the previous year.
MLS and the MLS Players Association are in their sixth year of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) established in February 2021. This agreement is set to last until the end of the 2027 season; however, with the league transitioning to a summer/spring calendar next year, including a “sprint season” in the early part of 2027, revisions to these terms may occur.
Total Guaranteed Compensation per Team
1. Inter Miami – $54.57 million
2. LAFC – $32.65 million
3. Atlanta United – $27.88 million
4. LA Galaxy – $26.43 million
5. Vancouver Whitecaps – $24.56 million
6. San Diego FC – $24.39 million
7. FC Cincinnati – $23.47 million
8. Nashville SC – $22.99 million
9. Columbus Crew – $22.34 million
10. Chicago Fire – $21.73 million
11. New York Red Bulls – $21.65 million
12. New York City FC – $21.54 million
13. Charlotte FC – $21.46 million
14. Toronto FC – $21.39 million
15. Houston Dynamo – $20.91 million
16. Austin FC – $19.89 million
17. New England Revolution – $19.41 million
18. Seattle Sounders – $19.09 million
19. St. Louis City – $18.81 million
20. Portland Timbers – $18.45 million
21. San Jose Earthquakes – $15.83 million
22. Minnesota United – $15.55 million
23. Real Salt Lake – $15.29 million
24. D.C. United – $14.55 million
25. FC Dallas – $14.54 million
26. Colorado Rapids – $14.13 million
27. Orlando City – $13.73 million
28. CF Montreal – $13.42 million
29. Sporting Kansas City – $12.36 million
30. Philadelphia Union – $11.70 million