Inter Miami CF midfielder Lionel Messi (10) celebrates his goal during second half MLS soccer against Toronto FC, in Toronto on Saturday, May 9, 2026.(Frank Gunn /The Canadian Press via AP)
Lionel Messi stays the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer with an annual base salary of $25 million–greater than twice as much because the next-highest paid player Son Heung-min, the MLS Players Association said Tuesday.
The union’s latest list of player salaries reflected the contract extension Messi signed with Inter Miami in October which is able to keep him with the Florida outfit through the 2028 campaign.
READ: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami complete their journey with MLS Cup
In line with the figures, Messi’s base salary has doubled while overall the deal will see him make $28.3 million in guaranteed compensation.
Los Angeles FC forward Son Heung-Min reacts throughout the second half of an MLS soccer match against San Diego FC Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
South Korea star Son, the previous Tottenham captain who signed with Los Angeles FC last August for a reported MLS record $26 million transfer fee, has a base salary of $10.36 million with total guaranteed compensation of $11.2 million.
The salaries don’t include income from endorsement deals, nor does Messi’s compensation reflect his option to amass a stake within the Florida franchise — co-owned by David Beckham — which he joined in 2023.
The 38-year-old Messi, who is predicted to guide Argentina’s World Cup title defense starting next month, has 59 goals in 64 MLS regular-season games with Miami. He led the league with 29 goals last season and was named Most Useful Player for the second straight season.
Messi’s Inter Miami and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul is third on the list with $9.7 million in guaranteed compensation.
Mexico’s Hirving “Chucky” Lozano is fourth on the list with $9.3 million despite the incontrovertible fact that he hasn’t featured for San Diego since November.
Atlanta’s Miguel Almiron rounds out the highest five with guaranteed compensation of $7.9 million.
Total league compensation was listed at $631 million, with the common guaranteed compensation $688,816 — an 8.9% rise from figures released last October.
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