MLS Salary Rankings: Lionel Messi Leads, Son Heung-min Follows

Lionel Messi tops MLS earnings list, Son Heung-min Second

Lionel Messi tops the MLS earnings list with a $20.4 million annual salary, followed by Son Heung-min with $11.1 million.

The South Korean star joined LAFC in August from Tottenham, becoming the most expensive signing in MLS history...

Lionel Messi tops the list of highest-paid players in Major League Soccer (MLS), with Inter Miami guaranteeing him an annual salary of $20.4 million. This impressive figure solidifies his position as the top earner in the league.¹

Messi's closest competitor is Son Heung-min, who signed with LAFC earlier this season for an annual salary of $11.1 million. This significant gap highlights Messi's exceptional market value and influence in the sport.

The top five highest-paid players in MLS are

• Lionel Messi: $20.4 million (Inter Miami).

• Son Heung-min: $11.1 million (LAFC)

• Sergio Busquets: $8.7 million (Inter Miami)

• Miguel Almiron: $7.8 million (Atlanta United)

• Hirving Lozano: $7.6 million (San Diego FC)

Messi's contract with Inter Miami is set to run until December, with expectations of a three-year extension. His annual salary is nearly double that of Son Heung-min, showcasing his immense value to the team and the league.

Lionel Messi's contract extension with Inter Miami will kick in next year, spanning three seasons, although the financial specifics remain undisclosed. The Argentina captain is set to sign a new deal after his current contract concludes.

Messi, 38, has had an impressive season, topping the regular season goal-scorers chart with 29 goals in 28 matches. He's also the favorite to claim the Most Valuable Player award for his outstanding performance. His existing sponsorship portfolio, which he secured upon joining Inter Miami in mid-2023, extends until December and isn't included in the contract extension figures.

According to the MLS Players Association, Lionel Messi leads the list of highest-paid players, with Son Heung-min ranking second. Son's annual salary with LAFC is $11.1 million, following his record-breaking transfer deal estimated at $26 million.

LAFC's Son Heung-Min joined Inter Miami's Lionel Messi as the only MLS players to make over $10 million in annual salary 😳

Son, a summer acquisition by LAFC has guaranteed compensation of $11.2 million, while Messi remains the league's highest paid player at $20.4 million. pic.twitter.com/X3nGER5zWd

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 29, 2025

The South Korean star joined LAFC in August from Tottenham, becoming the most expensive signing in MLS history. His impressive move to California has seen him command a significant salary, though still falling short of Messi's $20.4 million annual earnings.

Son Heung-min has made an instant impact since joining LAFC, scoring nine goals in just 10 matches, helping his team secure a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs. Currently, he ranks second on the list of highest-paid players in MLS.

Inter Miami's Sergio Busquets occupies the third spot with a salary of $8.7 million, but he will be hanging up his boots at the end of the season. Meanwhile, notable signings Miguel Almiron ($7.8 million) and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano ($7.6 million) claim the fourth and fifth spots, respectively.