Lionel Messi has remained the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer after signing a new contract extension with Inter Miami.
New figures released by the MLS Players Association showed that Messi now earns an annual base salary of $25 million (£18.5 million), which is more than double the earnings of the league’s second-highest-paid player.
The updated salary details reflect the contract extension the Argentine star signed with Inter Miami in October. Alongside the increase in his base pay, the overall agreement is reportedly worth $28.3 million (£20.9 million) in guaranteed compensation.
Son Heung-min of Los Angeles FC ranks as the second-highest earner in the league with a base salary of $10.4 million (£7.7 million) and guaranteed earnings of $11.2 million (£8.3 million).
The former Tottenham Hotspur forward reportedly earns slightly more than Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo de Paul and San Diego FC star Hirving Lozano.
The figures released do not include endorsement deals or Messi’s option to acquire ownership shares in Inter Miami, a club co-owned by David Beckham.
Since joining the Florida-based club in 2023, Messi has scored 59 goals in 64 regular-season MLS matches and helped Inter Miami win the MLS Cup in 2025.
He also finished as the league’s top scorer last season with 29 goals and has won the MLS Most Valuable Player award in both full seasons he has played so far.