Lionel Messi’s MLS salary remains the highest in Major League Soccer at $25 million in annual base pay, the MLS Players Association said Tuesday in its latest salary release.
The figures reflect the contract extension Messi signed with Inter Miami in October, keeping him with the Florida club through the 2028 campaign. His total guaranteed compensation is listed at $28.3 million.
Son Heung-min is second on the list after joining Los Angeles FC last August from Tottenham for a reported MLS-record $26 million transfer fee. The South Korea forward has a $10.36 million base salary and $11.2 million in guaranteed compensation.
The salary figures do not include endorsement income. Messi’s listed compensation also does not reflect his option to acquire a stake in Inter Miami, the club co-owned by David Beckham that he joined in 2023.
Messi, 38, has scored 59 goals in 64 MLS regular-season games for Inter Miami. He led the league with 29 goals last season and was named Most Valuable Player for a second straight season.
Inter Miami and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul ranked third with $9.7 million in guaranteed compensation. Mexico’s Hirving “Chucky” Lozano was fourth at $9.3 million, while Atlanta’s Miguel Almiron completed the top five at $7.9 million.
The MLS Players Association listed total league compensation at $631 million. Average guaranteed compensation rose 8.9% from last October to $688,816.
