Lionel Messi has remained the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer after signing a new contract extension with Inter Miami CF.
Figures released by the MLS Players Association showed that the Argentina captain now earns an annual base salary of $25 million, far ahead of every other player in the league. His total guaranteed compensation is reportedly valued at about $28.3 million.
The 38-year-old extended his stay with Inter Miami in October, further strengthening his influence on the league since arriving in the United States in 2023.
Former Tottenham Hotspur FC forward Son Heung-min is currently the second-highest earner in MLS with a base salary of $11.2 million.
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Other players among the league’s top earners include Rodrigo De Paul and Hirving Lozano.
The salary figures do not include endorsement earnings or Messi’s option to acquire a stake in Inter Miami, the club co-owned by David Beckham.
Since joining the Florida-based club, Messi has significantly boosted the global popularity of MLS. He has scored 59 goals in 64 regular-season appearances and helped Inter Miami win the MLS Cup in 2025.
Messi also finished as the league’s top scorer last season with 29 goals and continues to dominate both on and off the pitch through his performances and commercial appeal.
