Lionel Messi has retained his position as the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer following a new contract extension with Inter Miami CF.
According to data released by the MLS Players Association, the Argentine captain earns a base salary of about $25 million annually, more than double that of any other player in the league. His total guaranteed compensation is estimated at approximately $28.3 million per year.
Messi, now 38, agreed to the extension in October, further strengthening his status as the biggest global star in American soccer since joining the league in 2023.
Behind him on the salary chart is former Tottenham winger Son Heung-min, who earns a base salary of around $11.2 million. Rodrigo De Paul and Hirving Lozano also rank among the league’s highest earners.
The published figures do not include Messi’s endorsement deals or a reported option to acquire an ownership stake in Inter Miami, a club partly owned by David Beckham.
Since arriving in the United States, Messi has had a major impact on the league’s global visibility. On the pitch, he has recorded 59 goals in 64 regular-season appearances, won the Golden Boot with 29 goals last season, and played a key role in Inter Miami’s MLS Cup triumph in 2025.