Lionel Messi becomes best paid in MLS for second year, earns $20.5m

Latest data released by the MLS Players Association has confirmed Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi as Major League Soccer’s highest-paid player for the second year running, with a total guaranteed compensation of $20.45 million.

As in previous years, the amount reflects just the playing portion of Messi’s compensation, with the Argentina star also set to benefit from other revenue streams such as his endorsement deal with Adidas and a revenue-sharing agreement with league broadcast partner Apple.

According to Sportico, Messi stands to earn up to $150m over the life of the two-and-a-half year contract he signed with Miami and MLS back in the summer of 2023.

Toronto FC forward Lorenzo Insigne ranked second with a guaranteed compensation of $15.44m, followed by Messi’s Inter Miami teammate Sergio Busquets at $8.5m. Atlanta United forward Miguel Almirón is in fourth position at $7.87m followed by San Diego FC forward Hirving “Chucky” Lozano at $7.63m.

The salary numbers from the MLSPA are as of May 25, 2025. The union typically does two salary releases per year. Two years ago, just months before Messi’s arrival, Insigne was the league’s highest-paid player.

In terms of total guaranteed compensation per team, Inter Miami continued to tower over the rest of the league.

A soccer game ball with the MLS logo is seen during the game between Charlotte FC and the Chicago Fire at Bank of America Stadium  (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

The Herons checked in at $46.84m which is $5m more than the league record they set at this time a year ago. The amount is also more than double that of all but two other teams. Toronto’s outlay is $34.15m followed by Atlanta United FC at $27.63m, FC Cincinnati at $23.18m, and the reigning MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy at $22.87m.

CF Montréal are the league’s lowest spenders at $11.99m, followed by the Philadelphia Union ($13.37m), Real Salt Lake ($13.413m), the Houston Dynamo ($13.414m) and Minnesota United ($13.80m)

Here is the total guaranteed compensation per team.

1. Inter Miami – $46.84m
2. Toronto FC – $34.15m
3. Atlanta United – $27.63m
4. FC Cincinnati – $23.18m
5. LA Galaxy – $22.87m
6. LAFC – $22.37m
7. Chicago Fire – $22.05m
8. Nashville SC – $21.75m
9. New York Red Bulls – $21.54m
10. San Diego FC – $20.03m
11. Portland Timbers – $19.57m
12. FC Dallas – $18.98m
13. St. Louis City – $18.11m
14. Seattle Sounders – $18.09m
15. Sporting Kansas City – $17.72m
16. New England Revolution – $17.19m
17. San Jose Earthquakes – $17.19m
18. Charlotte FC – $17.13m
19. Orlando City – $16.44m
20. Columbus Crew – $16.36m
21. Vancouver Whitecaps – $15.71m
22. Colorado Rapids – $15.48m
23. Austin FC – $15.33m
24. New York City FC – $14.96m
25. D.C. United – $14.62m
26. Minnesota United – $13.8m
27. Houston Dynamo – $13.41m
28. Real Salt Lake – $13.41m
29. Philadelphia Union – $13.37m
30. CF Montreal – $11.99m