The sheer scale of Lionel Messi’s mega-contract at Inter Miami has officially been laid bare, proving that the Argentine superstar has created an almost insurmountable gap in Major League Soccer (MLS)—both in terms of on-pitch dominance and sheer commercial value.
A Financial League of His Own
According to newly released salary data from the MLS Players Association, Messi commands a guaranteed total compensation of up to $28.3 million per year (approximately £21 million). This astronomical figure represents the highest remuneration in the history of the league, sitting lightyears ahead of the rest of North American football.
Messi’s salary is easily justified by his production. Last season, he spearheaded Inter Miami’s glorious run to the MLS Cup championship while simultaneously sweeping both the Golden Boot and the MVP awards. Although his actual take-home pay is heavily subsidized by lucrative private commercial deals (such as those with Apple and Adidas), the base numbers published by the MLS perfectly reflect the unparalleled influence of the 2022 World Cup champion.
The Glaring Gap: Messi vs. Son Heung-min
The financial chasm becomes even more striking when placing Messi’s wages next to other global superstars who have recently joined the league, such as Son Heung-min of Los Angeles FC.
The South Korean national team captain currently earns approximately $11.1 million per year. While Son firmly sits among the highest-paid players in the MLS and serves as the primary attacking catalyst for LAFC, his salary is still less than half of what Messi pulls in. This stark contrast emphasizes that the Inter Miami number 10 is a complete anomaly within the league’s financial structure.
The Top 5 MLS Earners
Trailing directly behind Messi on the official payroll are several other highly recognizable faces from European football. Messi’s close friend and Inter Miami teammate, Rodrigo De Paul, ranks third on the list. Meanwhile, dynamic wingers Miguel Almiron and Hirving Lozano round out the top five highest-paid players in the competition.
Paving the Way for 2026
The arrival of Lionel Messi has fundamentally rewritten the concept of what a “mega-contract” looks like in the United States. With the US rapidly preparing to co-host the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup, MLS is operating with growing ambition, actively transforming the league into a premier destination for global football icons.
