When we talk about superstar power in Major League Soccer, there's no bigger name—or paycheck—than Lionel Messi. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has once again shattered salary records, with his new Inter Miami contract paying him a staggering $25 million in base salary and over $28 million in guaranteed compensation. To put that in perspective, Messi earns more than the entire payrolls of 28 out of the other 29 MLS teams. That's not just a statement; it's a financial phenomenon that underscores his unmatched draw in the league.
Messi's latest deal, signed in October and running through the 2028 season, more than doubled his previous salary. It's no surprise given his on-field impact: he's tallied 59 goals in 64 regular-season games for Miami, including nine in just 11 matches this season. Last year, he led the MLS scoring charts with 29 goals and claimed his second consecutive MVP award, capping it off by guiding Inter Miami to its first MLS title. His compensation includes base salary, marketing bonuses, and agent fees, though it doesn't account for any additional team agreements or performance bonuses.
Trailing far behind in second place is LAFC's Son Heung Min, earning $10.37 million in base salary and $11.2 million in total compensation—figures unchanged from last season. The 33-year-old South Korean winger joined LA from Tottenham last August and remains a top draw, but Messi's earnings dwarf his by more than double. Other high earners include former Newcastle star Miguel Almiron ($7.9 million) and Vancouver Whitecaps' Thomas Muller, who brought his Bayern Munich pedigree to MLS for $5.15 million after last summer's move.
Inter Miami's overall payroll of $54.6 million leads the league by a wide margin—over $20 million more than second-place LAFC's $32.7 million—and is nearly five times that of the lowest-spending team, Philadelphia, at just $11.7 million. League-wide, total compensation hit $631 million this year, with the average guaranteed salary rising to $688,816 as of April 16, up nearly nine percent from October. For context, Cincinnati center-back Miles Robinson, a likely starter for the U.S. in the 2026 World Cup, tops the American earners at $3.95 million.
Whether you're a fan of the beautiful game or just love seeing record-breaking numbers, Messi's dominance—on the pitch and in the wallet—is rewriting the rules of MLS economics.