Lionel Messi's salary has been confirmed by Major League Soccer, and the numbers are staggering. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner signed a new three-year contract with Inter Miami last October, a deal that runs through the 2028 season. According to the latest MLS Players' Association salary release, Messi's base salary has more than doubled to $25 million, with guaranteed compensation exceeding $28 million. That figure places him far above any other player in the league, including the second-highest earner, Los Angeles FC's Son Heung Min, who earns $10,368,750 in base salary and $11.2 million in total compensation.
The gap between Messi and the rest of the league is immense. His guaranteed compensation alone is more than the entire payrolls of 28 of the other 29 MLS teams. Only Inter Miami's own payroll surpasses his individual figure, and that is because he is part of it. Miami's total payroll of $54.6 million is the highest in MLS, more than $20 million above second-place LAFC at $32.7 million. At the other end of the spectrum, Philadelphia Union's league-low payroll of $11.7 million is less than half of Messi's individual guaranteed compensation.
Messi's contract terms reflect his extraordinary impact on and off the field. After joining Inter Miami in July 2023, he led the club to its first MLS Cup title in the 2025 season, scoring 29 goals in the regular season and winning his second straight MVP award. In 64 regular-season appearances with Miami, he has accumulated 59 goals and numerous assists. This season, he already has nine goals in 11 matches. His presence has transformed Inter Miami from a struggling expansion side into a championship contender and a global brand.
The Argentine captain's initial MLS contract, signed in 2023, included a base salary of $12 million, with total compensation around $20.4 million when factoring in marketing bonuses and other incentives. The new deal represents a significant raise, reflecting his continued dominance and the league's desire to retain its biggest star. The contract also includes clauses tied to performance bonuses, though those are not included in the released salary figures. The MLS Players' Association data includes base salary and guaranteed compensation, which covers any marketing bonuses and agent fees, but does not account for additional agreements with the team or affiliates, nor performance-related incentives.
Son Heung Min, the South Korean superstar, joined LAFC from Tottenham Hotspur in August 2025 after a stellar career in the Premier League. The 33-year-old winger had been a key figure for Spurs for a decade, scoring 120 goals in 408 appearances and becoming the club's all-time leading Asian scorer in the Premier League. His move to MLS was a major coup for the league, bringing one of Asia's most beloved players to North America. Son's salary of $10.4 million base is the same as his figures from last season, indicating that his contract structure remained unchanged upon joining LAFC. He has quickly become a fan favorite in Los Angeles, adding star power to a team that already featured high-profile names.
Beyond Messi and Son, the list of top earners in MLS includes several notable international stars. Miguel Almiron, the Paraguayan attacking midfielder who previously played for Newcastle United, earns $7.9 million in base salary with Atlanta United. Thomas Muller, the German veteran who left Bayern Munich last summer, is at Vancouver Whitecaps on a salary of $5.15 million. Other high earners include French winger Houssem Aouar at LAFC, Brazilian forward Gabriel Pec at LA Galaxy, and Honduran striker Alberth Elis at FC Dallas. Among domestic players, Cincinnati centre-back Miles Robinson leads the way with a $3.95 million base salary, earning the top spot among likely inclusions in Mauricio Pochettino's United States squad for the 2026 World Cup.
The average guaranteed compensation in MLS now stands at $688,816 as of April 16, representing a nearly nine percent increase from the start of October 2025. Total league compensation has climbed to $631 million, underscoring the continued growth of the league. This rise is driven by several factors: the influx of high-profile international stars like Messi and Son, the expansion of the league to 30 teams, lucrative broadcast deals, and increased commercial revenue. The salary budget for each team has also increased, allowing clubs to invest more in player salaries.
Inter Miami's massive payroll is a direct result of Messi's contract, but the team has also assembled a supporting cast of talented players, including former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez. The club's aggressive spending has sparked debate about competitive balance in MLS, but the league's designated player rules still limit how many high-salary players a team can have outside the salary budget. Miami has used these designations judiciously, but Messi's salary alone dwarfs the entire budgets of smaller-market teams. The disparity is most stark when comparing Miami's $54.6 million payroll to Philadelphia's $11.7 million, a gap of nearly five times.
Messi's move to MLS has had a transformative effect on the league's global profile. Television ratings, attendance, and merchandise sales have skyrocketed. Inter Miami's home games at Chase Stadium are consistently sold out, and the team's away matches draw record crowds. The league has capitalized on this buzz by scheduling more prime-time matches and expanding its international reach. Messi's presence also helped the United States win the bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and his continued dominance in MLS serves as a showcase for the league's quality.
Son Heung Min's arrival has similarly boosted LAFC's profile, particularly among Asian audiences. The club has seen increased interest from South Korean sponsors and broadcasters, and Son's performances on the pitch have been electric. In his first season with LAFC, he scored 12 goals and provided 8 assists in 28 appearances, helping the team reach the playoffs. His partnership with fellow designated player Denis Bouanga has been one of the most exciting in the league. Son's salary, while far behind Messi's, still places him among the top earners in MLS and reflects his status as a global icon.
The salary release also highlights the growing financial muscle of MLS as a whole. While the league still lags behind Europe's top leagues in average salaries, the top end is increasingly competitive. Players like Messi, Son, Muller, and Almiron earn salaries that would be respectable in many European top-flight leagues. This trend is likely to continue as MLS attracts more players in their prime, rather than just aging stars seeking a final paycheck. The league's investment in youth academies and homegrown talent also promises to raise the overall quality and depth of the player pool.
Messi's career achievements are unparalleled. He has won 44 trophies, including four Champions League titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and a World Cup with Argentina in 2022. His individual accolades include eight Ballon d'Or awards, six European Golden Shoes, and countless other honors. His arrival in MLS was initially met with skepticism about whether he could maintain his high standards, but he has silenced critics by consistently delivering world-class performances. His new contract ensures he will remain a central figure in the league for at least three more seasons, potentially even beyond.
Son Heung Min, meanwhile, is a legend in his own right. As the all-time leading Asian goalscorer in Premier League history, he has inspired a generation of players from South Korea and across Asia. His partnership with Harry Kane at Tottenham was one of the most prolific in Premier League history, and his individual brilliance earned him the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2021–22 season. His move to MLS was seen as a homecoming of sorts, as he had frequently expressed admiration for the league and its growing popularity in Asia. At 33, he still has several productive years ahead of him and is expected to be a key figure for LAFC in their pursuit of another MLS Cup.
The broader context of MLS salary growth is also influenced by the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which the United States will co-host with Canada and Mexico. The league is positioning itself as a major player in global soccer, and the influx of star talent is part of a long-term strategy to raise the league's profile. The new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players' union, signed in 2024, includes provisions for increased salary budgets, improved free agency rules, and greater revenue sharing. These changes are designed to make MLS more competitive with other leagues around the world.
Critics argue that the reliance on a few star players creates an imbalance, but supporters point out that the designated player rule was specifically created to attract marquee names who can elevate the entire league. Messi, Son, and others have certainly done that. The league's average attendance has risen to over 23,000 per game, and television ratings for MLS matches have increased by double digits. The quality of play has also improved, as evidenced by the performances of MLS teams in international competitions like the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the Leagues Cup.
Looking ahead, the next few years will be crucial for MLS. The 2026 World Cup will bring unprecedented attention to North American soccer, and the league aims to capitalize on that momentum. Messi's contract extension through 2028 ensures he will be part of that journey, and his presence will continue to attract other top players. Son, too, has expressed a desire to remain in MLS for the long term, and his contributions to LAFC will be vital. The league's salary structure will inevitably evolve further, with the average salary likely to exceed $1 million within the next five years.
In the immediate term, the focus remains on the 2026 season, which is now underway. Inter Miami, as defending champions, are the team to beat. Messi is in top form, leading the scoring charts once again. Son's LAFC are close behind in the Western Conference standings. The race for the MLS Cup promises to be one of the most competitive in league history, with multiple teams featuring star-studded rosters. The salary figures released by the MLS Players' Association provide a fascinating snapshot of the league's financial landscape, but they also tell a story of ambition and growth that shows no signs of slowing down.
Source: Yahoo Sports News