Major League Soccer's latest salary release confirms that Lionel Messi remains the highest-paid player in the league by a wide margin. The Argentine superstar signed a new three-year contract through the 2028 season with Inter Miami in October 2025, and the new terms include $25 million in base salary and over $28 million in guaranteed compensation. This figure is more than double the second-highest earner, LAFC forward Son Heung-min, who receives $10,368,750 in base salary and $11.2 million guaranteed.
Messi's Dominance on and off the Pitch
Messi's salary increase reflects his continued impact on the game. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner led Inter Miami to their first MLS title in 2025 and has recorded 59 goals in 64 regular-season appearances with the club, including nine goals in 11 matches this season. He topped the MLS scoring charts with 29 goals last season and won his second straight MVP award. His new contract includes marketing bonuses and agent fees but does not account for additional agreements with the team or performance bonuses.
Remarkably, Messi's guaranteed compensation exceeds the entire payroll of 28 of the other 29 MLS teams. Inter Miami's total payroll of $54.6 million is more than $20 million higher than second-place LAFC at $32.7 million and nearly five times the Philadelphia Union's league-low $11.7 million. The club's payroll has grown from $46.8 million at the start of the 2025 season.
Son Heung-min: A High-Profile Signing for LAFC
Son Heung-min joined LAFC from Tottenham Hotspur in August 2025, making a move that shook the soccer world. The 33-year-old South Korean international had been a key player for Spurs, scoring over 160 goals for the club across all competitions. His base salary of $10,368,750 matches his figures from last season, but his total compensation remains second only to Messi. Son's arrival has boosted LAFC's profile and generated significant commercial interest, though the club still trails Miami in overall spending.
Other Top Earners in MLS
Beyond the two superstars, several other players command substantial salaries. Miguel Almiron, who joined from Newcastle United, earns $7.9 million in base salary. The Paraguayan playmaker has been a creative force in MLS. Veteran German midfielder Thomas Muller, who left Bayern Munich last summer, earns $5.15 million with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Among domestic talents, Cincinnati center-back Miles Robinson leads likely U.S. national team candidates with $3.95 million guaranteed. Robinson is expected to be a key part of Mauricio Pochettino's squad for the 2026 World Cup.
League-Wide Salary Trends
The MLS Players Association's first salary release of 2026 shows total league compensation of $631 million, up from previous years. The average guaranteed compensation of $688,816 on April 16 represents a nearly nine percent increase from the start of October 2025. This growth reflects the league's rising revenue, expansion, and increased investment in talent. However, the gap between top teams and lower-spending clubs remains stark. Inter Miami's payroll is more than five times that of the Philadelphia Union, highlighting the financial disparity across the league.
Messi's salary alone is larger than the entire payroll of 28 teams, underscoring his unique value to Inter Miami and MLS as a whole. The league has benefited from his presence through increased attendance, television ratings, and global attention. The 2026 season is expected to see further growth as the U.S. prepares to co-host the World Cup.
Historical Context: Messi's Journey to Miami
Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in July 2023 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, choosing MLS over lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and a return to Barcelona. His original contract with Miami was reported to be worth $50-60 million annually when including Apple TV shares and other incentives. The new deal, while lower in total potential value, provides a significant base salary increase and extends his commitment through 2028. Messi has stated that he wants to leave a legacy in Miami and help grow soccer in the U.S.
Messi's impact on the field has been immediate. He scored a stunning goal on his debut in a Leagues Cup match, led Inter Miami to win that competition, and then captured the MLS Cup in his second season. His presence has also elevated the performance of teammates like Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who followed him to Miami.
Son Heung-min's Path to MLS
Son Heung-min's move to LAFC was one of the most surprising transfers of 2025. After spending a decade at Tottenham, where he became the club's all-time leading goalscorer from Asia, Son sought a new challenge. LAFC offered him a designated player contract that made him the second-highest earner in MLS. Son has adapted well to the league, scoring 12 goals and providing 8 assists in his first full season. His marketability in Asia has further boosted LAFC's brand.
Financial Disparities and the Future
The gap between the highest and lowest payrolls in MLS raises questions about competitive balance. While the league enforces a salary cap and uses mechanisms like allocation money and designated player slots, the richest owners can still outspend others. Inter Miami's ownership group, led by Jorge Mas and David Beckham, has been aggressive in pursuing stars. Meanwhile, teams like Philadelphia rely on developing young talent and selling players for profit.
The $631 million total compensation figure is a record for MLS, but the average of $688,816 is still modest compared to top European leagues. With the World Cup arriving in 2026, the league is expected to continue growing revenues, potentially narrowing the gap. However, the current list of top earners shows that MLS remains a league where a few superstars dominate the payroll landscape.
Other notable earners include former MLS MVPs like Lucho Acosta (now at a different club), and young Designated Players such as Brazilian forward Gabriel Pec from LA Galaxy. The salary release also highlights the impact of the new CBA, which increased spending limits and minimum salaries.
As the 2026 season progresses, all eyes will be on Messi and Son as they continue to lead their teams. Inter Miami looks to defend its title, while LAFC aims to return to the top. The financial data released by the union provides a fascinating glimpse into the economics of modern MLS, where a single player can command a team's entire budget and still deliver value on and off the pitch.
Source: Yahoo Sports News