Messi tops MLS salary list at $20.4M, Miami breaks payroll record

Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi retained his status as Major League Soccer's highest-paid player in 2025, according to annual salary data released by the MLS Players Association (MLSPA) on Wednesday.

The Argentine superstar's total guaranteed compensation is $20.4 million. His base salary accounts for more than half that amount, coming in at $12 million.

His total compensation doesn't reflect any non-playing revenue streams. Messi has a lucrative sponsorship deal with Adidas, and a revenue-sharing agreement with MLS broadcast partner Apple.

It was previously reported that Messi could earn up to $150 million over the life of his existing contract with Inter Miami, which he signed in 2023. The deal is due to expire at the end of the year, though he's widely expected to extend his stay with the MLS club.

With Messi leading the way, Inter Miami broke their own MLS record for total payroll. Guaranteed compensation for their entire squad totals $46.84 million, which is $5 million more than the benchmark they set last year. It's also at least double the outlay of every other team in the league except Toronto FC and Atlanta United.

Messi's teammate Sergio Busquets ranks third in the league in guaranteed compensation. The veteran midfielder is making $8.7 million this season. Only Lorenzo Insigne of Toronto FC, at $15.4 million, stops Miami from having the two highest-paid players in MLS.

Atlanta's Miguel Almiron ($7.8 million) and Hirving Lozano of expansion side San Diego FC ($7.6 million) round out the top five highest-paid players.

There are currently 131 players in MLS who make at least $1 million. The average guaranteed compensation for the league's entire pool of players also continues to rise. It now sits at $649,199, a 9.22% increase from the spring of last year.

CF Montreal have the league's lowest payroll at $11.99 million, while reigning MLS Cup champions the LA Galaxy come in at $22.87 million.

The current Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and MLSPA, signed in 2021, runs through the 2027 season.