When it comes to Major League Soccer, one name continues to tower above the rest—both on the pitch and on the paycheck. Lionel Messi remains the league's highest earner, with an annual base salary of $25 million (£18.5 million). That's more than double what any other player in North America's top flight takes home.

The figures, released by the MLS Players Association, reflect the contract extension the 38-year-old Argentina forward signed with Inter Miami last October. His base salary has doubled, and when you factor in guaranteed compensation, the total package climbs to $28.3 million (£20.9 million). Not bad for a player who turns 39 next month.

For context, the gap between Messi and the rest of the league is staggering. LAFC's Son Heung-min sits in second place with a base salary of $10.4 million (£7.7 million) and $11.2 million (£8.3 million) guaranteed. The former Tottenham star, now 33, edges out Inter Miami's Rodrigo de Paul and San Diego FC's Hirving Lozano, but they're all playing catch-up to the GOAT.

It's worth noting that these figures don't include endorsement income or Messi's option to acquire a stake in Inter Miami—a club co-owned by David Beckham. That's a whole other level of earning potential.

Since joining the Florida franchise in 2023, Messi has been nothing short of spectacular. He's netted 59 goals in 64 regular-season MLS games, leading the league with 29 goals last season alone. His impact was immediate and historic: he helped Miami secure the MLS Cup in 2025 and was named the league's Most Valuable Player for the second straight year.

For fans and players alike, Messi's presence in MLS has elevated the league's profile—and its pay scale. Whether you're chasing his signature on a jersey or his stats on the field, one thing is clear: in MLS, the King still reigns supreme.