Lionel Messi remains Major League Soccer's highest-paid player for the third consecutive year, earning $20.4 million in guaranteed compensation that exceeds the entire payrolls of 21 other teams in the league, according to salary data released Wednesday by the MLS Players Association.
The Argentine superstar's compensation includes a $12 million base salary, with the remainder coming from marketing bonuses and agent fees tied to his contract with Inter Miami, which runs through the 2025 season. The figures reflect only his playing contract and do not include additional revenue streams from his endorsement deal with Adidas or his revenue-sharing agreement with league broadcast partner Apple.
Inter Miami's total payroll reached a league-record $46.84 million, up $5 million from their previous record set in 202412. The team's spending is more than double that of all clubs except Toronto FC ($34.1 million) and Atlanta United ($27.6 million)23.
Miami places three players in the top 10 earners, with midfielder Sergio Busquets ranking third at $8.77 million and defender Jordi Alba eighth at $6 million14. Toronto FC's Lorenzo Insigne holds the second spot at $15.4 million12.
The salary data, current as of May 23, shows continued growth across MLS, with average guaranteed compensation rising 9.2% to $649,199 from $594,389 in May 202412. The number of players earning at least $1 million increased to 131, up from 115 last season23.
Eleven players now earn $5 million or more, compared to nine at the start of last season, while 50 players earn $2 million or higher, up from 442. Notable newcomers to the top earners include Atlanta United's Miguel Almiron at $7.87 million and San Diego FC's Hirving Lozano at $7.63 million45.
According to Sportico, Messi could earn up to $150 million over his two-and-a-half-year contract with Miami and MLS, signed in summer 202312. At the league's opposite end, CF Montreal operates with the lowest payroll at just under $12 million34.
The current Collective Bargaining Agreement between MLS and the players union runs through the 2027 season51.
