Lionel Messi has significantly raised his base salary with a new agreement with Inter Miami, reportedly totalling 25 million US dollars. This new contract, effective from the 2026 season, positions Messi as the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer (MLS), well ahead of his closest competitors. According to the MLS Players Association, Messi’s guaranteed compensation now stands at 28.33 million US dollars.

In contrast, the second-highest earner in the league, Son Heung-min from Los Angeles FC, has a base salary of 10.37 million US dollars and a total compensation of 11.15 million US dollars. This substantial difference in earnings illustrates a widening gap between Messi and other top players.

Messi’s Previous Contracts and Performance History

This new three-year contract with Inter Miami was agreed upon last October and is set to run through the 2028 season. Prior to this contract, Messi’s deal signed in 2023 included a base salary of 12 million US dollars. The Argentine forward has had a remarkable impact on the club, having led Inter Miami to their inaugural MLS title last season. To date, he has scored an impressive 59 goals in 64 regular-season matches.

As of the current season, Messi has already netted nine goals in just 11 games. His ability to consistently perform at such a high level reinforces his value to the club and the league.

The financial dynamics of Inter Miami highlight the club’s robust financial capabilities compared to its competitors. The team’s overall payroll now reaches 54.6 million US dollars, significantly outpacing Los Angeles FC, whose total stands at 32.7 million US dollars.

Financial Overview of the League and Player Salaries

The figures issued by the MLS Players Association provide insight into the varying salary structures across the league. Notably, the Philadelphia Union have the lowest payroll, amounting to just 11.7 million US dollars, indicating that Inter Miami is spending nearly five times more on wages than the lowest-paying team.

Across the entire league, the total player compensation has now reached 631 million US dollars, with the average guaranteed compensation having risen by 8.9 per cent to 688,816 US dollars. Inter Miami’s financial strength is further exemplified by the contracts of its other significant earners, such as midfielder Rodrigo de Paul, who ranks third on the salary list with a base salary of 7.57 million US dollars and total compensation of 9.69 million US dollars.

Other notable wage earners in the league include Miguel Almiron of Atlanta, Hirving Lozano from San Diego, Emil Forsberg from the New York Red Bulls, and Sam Surridge of Nashville. The reported figures encapsulate players’ MLS salaries along with marketing bonuses and agent fees, although they do not consider additional commercial deals or performance-related bonuses.

Overall, Messi’s new contract further emphasises his unmatched status in MLS, consolidating his position not only as the league’s premier star but also as its top-earning player.

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