Messi continues to be MLS's highest‑paid player

Lionel Messi continues to be the highest‑paid player in Major League Soccer after agreeing to a lucrative contract extension with Inter Miami CF.

Figures released by the MLS Players Association and reported by PUNCH Online on Wednesday show that the Argentine captain now receives a base salary of $25 million (£18.5 million) per year, more than twice the amount earned by any other player in the league.

Messi’s total guaranteed compensation is estimated at $28.3 million (£20.9 million).

The 38‑year‑old signed the extension in October, reinforcing his role as the league’s marquee figure since arriving in the United States in 2023.

Former Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung‑min ranks second in earnings, with a base salary of $11.2 million (£8.3 million). Rodrigo De Paul and Hirving Lozano follow among the league’s top earners.

The disclosed salaries do not include endorsement income or Messi’s option to acquire an ownership stake in Inter Miami, a club co‑owned by David Beckham.

Since joining the Florida side, Messi has elevated MLS’s global profile. He has netted 59 goals in 64 regular‑season matches and helped Inter Miami capture the MLS Cup in 2025.

Messi also finished last season as the league’s top scorer with 29 goals, and his on‑field performance continues to drive significant commercial impact.

Gilbert Ekugbe

Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.

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