Messi Tops MLS Salary Rankings Ahead of LAFC’s Son Heung-min
Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi remains Major League Soccer’s highest-paid player, topping the league’s updated salary list ahead of Los Angeles FC forward Son Heung-min, the MLS Players Association announced on Wednesday.
Messi, 38, earns a guaranteed $20.4 million (£15.4 million) per year from Inter Miami — more than any other player in the league by a wide margin. The figure does not include income from sponsorships and commercial deals tied to his 2023 contract, which also granted him stakes in MLS-related ventures and partnerships with Apple and Adidas.
The Argentine star, who recently secured the Golden Boot after scoring 29 goals in 28 regular-season matches, is the frontrunner to claim the MLS Most Valuable Player award for the second consecutive year. His current contract runs through December, with a three-year extension set to begin in 2026.
Son Heung-min, who joined LAFC from Tottenham Hotspur in August in what was reported as the most expensive transfer in MLS history — estimated at $26 million — ranks second with an annual salary of $11.1 million (£8.4 million). The South Korean international has made an instant impact, netting nine goals in 10 matches and helping LAFC reach the MLS Cup playoffs.
Rounding out the top five are Inter Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets ($8.7 million), who is expected to retire at the end of the season; Atlanta United’s Paraguayan playmaker Miguel Almirón ($7.8 million, £5.9 million); and San Diego FC’s Mexican winger Hirving “Chucky” Lozano ($7.6 million, £5.7 million), both of whom joined the league this year.
Messi’s dominance at the top of the list underscores both his enduring global appeal and the league’s continued growth in attracting international stars. MLS clubs have increasingly invested in marquee signings to boost visibility and competitiveness ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico.