Major League Soccer continues its ascent in the global football landscape, positioning itself as a legitimate contender for top-tier talent, rivalling even the high-spending Saudi Pro League. This ambition is starkly reflected in the recently released player salaries for the 2026 season by the MLS Players Association (MLSPA), which showcase a league increasingly capable of attracting and compensating some of the world’s most iconic names.
At the pinnacle of this lucrative list is Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, whose move to Inter Miami has undeniably elevated the league’s profile. Messi’s base salary for 2026 is a staggering $25 million, with his overall Guaranteed Compensation reaching $28.3 million per year. This figure is further bolstered by a unique arrangement that includes a percentage of MLS’s earnings from its groundbreaking deal with Apple TV. Since his arrival, Messi has led Inter Miami to significant silverware, including the MLS Leagues Cup in 2023, the Supporters’ Shield in 2024, and the MLS Cup in 2025.
Global talent flocking to the states
The influx of global superstars extends well beyond Messi, with several other high-profile players commanding substantial wages. Tied for the second-highest paid player in 2026 are Robert Lewandowski of Chicago Fire and Casemiro, also of Inter Miami, both earning a Guaranteed Compensation of $17 million per year.
Lewandowski’s contract with Chicago Fire, which began in June 2026, is set to run for two years until June 2028, according to SalaryLeaks. Casemiro, a five-time Champions League winner and veteran of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, notably took a wage cut to join Inter Miami, having previously earned an estimated $23.5 million per year at Manchester United.
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Further demonstrating MLS’s growing financial power is the presence of Tottenham’s long-time captain, Son Heung-Min, who joined Los Angeles FC in 2025 for a record $26.5 million transfer fee, the largest in MLS history. Son, who led Spurs to Europa League success, is the fourth-highest paid player with a Guaranteed Compensation of $11.2 million per year. His contract extends through 2027, with options to prolong his stay until 2029.
Inter Miami’s commitment to building a star-studded squad is evident with Rodrigo De Paul, a two-time Copa America champion and another member of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning side, securing the fifth spot. De Paul, who made his loan move from Atletico Madrid permanent in 2026, will earn $9.7 million in Guaranteed Compensation.
The league’s expansion efforts are also attracting significant talent, as seen with Hirving Lozano’s move to San Diego FC, the newest expansion team, in January 2025. Lozano, once Serie A’s €42 million record signing at Napoli, signed a four-year Designated Player contract through 2028, with a reported $12 million transfer fee from PSV Eindhoven. His Guaranteed Compensation stands at $9.3 million per year, placing him sixth on the list.
Rounding out the top ten highest earners for 2026 are:
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- Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United): $7.9 million Guaranteed Compensation
- Emil Forsberg (New York Red Bulls): $6 million Guaranteed Compensation
- Sam Surridge (Nashville SC): $6 million Guaranteed Compensation
- Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy): $5.8 million Guaranteed Compensation
Other notable names within the top 20 include Jonathan Bamba ($5.6m, Chicago Fire), Hany Mukhtar ($5.4m, Nashville SC), Josh Sargent ($5.3m, Toronto FC), and Thomas Muller ($5.2m, Vancouver Whitecaps).
These figures, while estimates derived from public reporting and algorithms by Capology and SalaryLeaks, underscore MLS’s strategic investment in global talent. The league, described by GiveMeSport as “fairly close to being a top-10 league in the world,” is clearly leveraging its financial power to compete on the international stage, continuing a legacy of attracting big names that previously included Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thierry Henry, and David Beckham.
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