Lionel Messi remains the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer, with his recently extended contract at Inter Miami seeing his guaranteed compensation soar to $28.3 million (£20.9 million) annually. The Argentine superstar, who turns 39 next month, signed an extension with the Florida club in October, effectively doubling his base salary.
According to figures released by the MLS Players Association as of April 16, 2026, Messi’s annualized base salary stands at $25 million (£18.5 million). This figure places him significantly ahead of his peers, earning more than double that of the league’s next-highest earner.
A significant lead over rivals
The latest salary guide highlights the substantial financial gap between Messi and the rest of the league. The second-highest earner is LAFC’s Son Heung-min, the 33-year-old former Tottenham forward, whose contract guarantees him $11.2 million (£8.3 million) annually, with a base salary of $10.4 million (£7.7 million). Son’s earnings are only slightly higher than those of Inter Miami’s Rodrigo de Paul and San Diego FC’s Hirving Lozano, who also feature prominently among the league’s top earners.
The MLS Players Association’s salary guide provides a detailed breakdown of player compensation. “Current Annualized Base Salary” refers to the player’s annual salary from their contract, while “Annualized Average Guaranteed Compensation” offers a more comprehensive view. This guaranteed figure includes the base salary, all signing and guaranteed bonuses annualized over the contract term (including option years), marketing bonuses, and agent’s fees. It’s important to note that these figures do not account for potential performance bonuses, which are not guaranteed.
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Beyond the base salary
Messi’s overall deal with Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, excludes several lucrative aspects. His income from endorsement deals is not factored into these league-published salary figures. Furthermore, the compensation does not include Messi’s unique option to acquire a stake in Inter Miami, a significant component of his original move to the league in 2023, as reported by BBC Sport.
Despite his advancing age, Messi’s on-field performance has continued to justify his substantial earnings. Since joining Inter Miami, he has been a dominant force, scoring 59 goals in 64 regular-season MLS games. His impact was instrumental in Inter Miami’s MLS Cup victory in 2025, a season in which he led the league with 29 goals. Messi’s consistent excellence also saw him named the Most Valuable Player in both the 2024 and 2025 MLS seasons, underscoring his continued value to the league.
Sources: www.bbc.com, mlsplayers.org
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