Lionel Messi’s new contract with Inter Miami has more than doubled his base salary to $25 million, making him the highest earner in Major League Soccer. His compensation is more than twice that of the second-highest-paid player, LAFC’s Son Heung-min, who earns $10,368,750.
According to the MLS Players Association’s first salary release of 2026, Messi’s guaranteed compensation stands at $28,333,333. His initial deal, signed in July 2023, included a $12 million base salary and annualized guaranteed compensation of $20,446,667. Messi agreed to a three-year contract through the 2028 season last October, leading Miami to their first MLS title.
Inter Miami’s total payroll of $54.6 million is over $20 million higher than LAFC’s $32.7 million, and nearly five times the league-low $11.7 million of Philadelphia. Miami’s payroll has risen from $46.8 million at the start of last season. League-wide, total compensation reached $631 million, with an average guaranteed compensation of $688,816 as of April 16, up 8.9% from $632,809 last October.
Messi, who turns 39 next month and captains defending World Cup champion Argentina, has scored 59 goals in 64 regular-season matches with Miami, including nine in 11 games this season. He led MLS with 29 regular-season goals last year and won his second consecutive MVP award. His salary figures include marketing bonuses and agent’s fees but exclude additional team agreements or performance bonuses.
Following Messi, Son Heung-min ranks second with a base salary of $10,368,750 and total compensation of $11,152,852. Midfielder Rodrigo de Paul, who joined Miami last summer, is third at $7,569,000 in base salary and $9,688,320 in total compensation. Other top earners include Atlanta winger Miguel Almiron ($6,056,000 base, $7,871,000 guaranteed), San Diego winger Hirving Lozano ($6 million, $9,333,333), New York Red Bulls winger Emil Forsberg ($5,405,000, $6,035,625), Nashville forward Sam Surridge ($5.27 million, $5,933,000), LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig ($5,125,000, $5,792,188), Vancouver attacker Thomas Müller ($5,000,004, $5,152,504), and Chicago winger Jonathan Bamba ($5 million, $5,581,806).
Among U.S. World Cup roster contenders, Cincinnati defender Miles Robinson leads with $3.5 million in base salary and $3.95 million in total compensation, followed by New England goalkeeper Matt Turner ($1,776,136, $1,942,886), Seattle midfielder Cristian Roldan ($1,645,000, $1,766,000), Charlotte midfielder Tim Ream ($1 million, $1,127,750), Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte ($900,000, $1,032,083), Columbus left back Max Arfsten ($800,000, $895,000), New York City goalkeeper Matt Freese ($675,000, $795,833), Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano ($525,000, $574,000), Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna ($450,000, $500,833), Vancouver midfielder Sebastian Berhalter ($480,000), and Chicago goalkeeper Chris Brady ($250,000, $348,333).
Newcomers to the league include Toronto forward Josh Sargent ($3.21 million base, $5,265,667 guaranteed), San Jose forward Timo Werner ($3,738,872, $4,268,039), Salt Lake winger Morgan Guilavogui ($2.2 million, $2,225,500), Houston forward Guilherme ($1,528,572, $1,925,230), LAFC midfielder Stephen Eustaquio ($1.8 million), D.C. forward Louis Munteanu ($1.19 million, $1,634,100), and Minnesota midfielder James Rodriguez ($684,000).
