Lionel Messi continues to dominate Major League Soccer, both on the pitch and on the paycheck. The Argentine superstar remains the league's highest earner with an annual base salary of $25 million (£18.5 million)—more than double that of any other MLS player.

According to figures released by the MLS Players Association, Messi's base salary has doubled following the contract extension he signed with Inter Miami last October. His total guaranteed compensation now stands at $28.3 million (£20.9 million), reflecting his unmatched value to the league.

For context, the next highest earner is LAFC's Son Heung-min, who takes home a base salary of $10.4 million (£7.7 million), with $11.2 million (£8.3 million) guaranteed. The former Tottenham forward, now 33, edges out Inter Miami's Rodrigo de Paul and San Diego FC's Hirving Lozano in the earnings race.

It's worth noting that these figures don't include endorsement deals or Messi's option to acquire a stake in Inter Miami—a club co-owned by David Beckham. The financial picture is even more impressive when you consider that Messi joined the Florida franchise in 2023 and has already scored 59 goals in 64 regular-season MLS games.

His impact has been immediate and historic. Last season alone, Messi led the league with 29 goals and was named Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year, helping Inter Miami secure the MLS Cup in 2025. At 39, he shows no signs of slowing down—proving that in soccer, as in style, quality never goes out of fashion.