Lionel Messi signed a contract extension with Inter Miami to remain the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer. The MLS Players Association released figures on Tuesday showing Messi’s base salary doubled to $25 million. His total guaranteed compensation now reaches $28.3 million per year under a deal running through the 2028 campaign.
South Korea’s Son Heung-min follows Messi as the league’s second-highest earner. The Los Angeles FC forward receives a $10.36 million base salary with $11.2 million in total compensation. Son joined the California club last August for a record $26 million transfer fee from Tottenham Hotspur.
Inter Miami teammates occupy multiple spots at the top of the pay scale. Rodrigo De Paul earns $9.7 million in guaranteed compensation, the third-highest figure in the league. These totals exclude private endorsement deals and Messi’s specific option to buy a stake in the Inter Miami franchise (co-owned by David Beckham).
Messi scored 29 goals last season and won his second consecutive Most Valuable Player award. He has recorded 59 goals in 64 regular-season appearances since moving to Florida in 2023. The 38-year-old prepares to lead Argentina’s World Cup defence in June.
Inter Miami maintains a league-high payroll of $54.6 million. This figure exceeds Los Angeles FC’s $32.7 million spend and dwarfs Philadelphia’s league-low $11.7 million budget. Total league compensation rose 8.9 per cent since October to reach $631 million.
Hirving Lozano occupies fourth place with $9.3 million despite a lack of appearances for San Diego since November. Miguel Almiron of Atlanta United completes the top five with $7.9 million. The average MLS player now earns $688,816 in guaranteed compensation.
