MLS Reveals Player Salaries, Lionel Messi Leads By Huge Margin With Rs...

Last Updated:October 30, 2025, 12:01 IST

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami salary has been revealed. He tops the MLS for earnings, pocketing nearly double that of Son Heung-Min's at LAFC.

Lionel Messi is the highest earner in the MLS and by a huge margin. (AP Photo)

Lionel Messi remains the highest earner in the Major League Soccer (MLS) in the USA, securing a guaranteed compensation of $20.4 million (Rs. 180.5 crore) annually from Inter Miami. That’s almost double that of the second-best in the list, South Korea’s Son Heung-Min, with $11.2 million (Rs. 99.11 crore) at LAFC, having joined only earlier this season from Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur.

The MLS Players Association revealed its data on players’ earnings on Thursday (October 30). The earnings don’t include bonuses (which are often quite substantial) and other types of income — for example, Messi has an extensive portfolio of sponsorships, mostly with US-based companies, which the Argentinian star received as part of the contract he signed upon his arrival in Miami in mid-2023. His current contract runs till 2023.

Messi’s longtime Barcelona teammate, Spaniard Sergio Busquets, takes the third spot on the list with earnings of $8.7 million (₹77 crore). The Inter Miami midfielder is set to retire at the end of the season.

In fourth place is Paraguayan star Miguel Almirón, who earns $7.8 million (₹69 crore), followed by Mexican winger Hirving “Chucky" Lozano at $7.6 million (₹67.3 crore), both of whom joined MLS this season with Atlanta United and San Diego FC, respectively.

Messi recently signed an extension

Messi, 38, only recently signed an extension to his contract at the club through to 2028. He’s now set to fulfill the club’s dream of inaugurating and playing in their new stadium, Miami Freedom Park.

“It makes me really happy to stay here and to continue with this project that, besides being a dream, has become a beautiful reality — playing in this stadium, at Miami Freedom Park," Messi said in a statement.

“Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve been very happy, so I’m truly glad to keep going here. We’re all really excited about the moment when we can finally play at Miami Freedom Park. We can’t wait for it to be finished — to experience it from the inside, in our new home, and for the fans to enjoy it as well. It’s going to be something very special to play at home in such a spectacular stadium."

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