Lionel Messi remains the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer, with his latest contract pushing his annual salary to $28.3 million, according to data released by the MLS Players Association. The Argentine superstar, now in his fourth season with Inter Miami, commands the league’s top salary, well ahead of second-place Son Heung-min of LAFC, who earns $11.2 million per year.
The salary data, which does not include additional revenue from Apple TV subscriptions, Adidas partnerships, or jersey sales, also highlights the growing financial divide within MLS. Inter Miami’s payroll for its three highest-paid players accounts for 76.7% of the team’s total salary budget, the highest percentage in the league. In contrast, the Philadelphia Union have the lowest concentration among their top three earners at 23.4%.
The top eight earners in MLS are: 1. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) – $28.3 million; 2. Son Heung-min (LAFC) – $11.2 million; 3. Rodrigo de Paul (Inter Miami) – $9.7 million; 4. Hirving Lozano (San Diego FC) – $9.3 million; 5. Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United) – $7.9 million; 6. Emil Forsberg (New York Red Bulls) – $6 million; 7. Sam Surridge (Nashville SC) – $5.9 million; 8. Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy) – $5.8 million.
Only one team in MLS has a total salary expenditure higher than what Inter Miami pays Messi alone: LAFC, which also boasts the league’s only other $10 million-plus player in Son. Notably, the two worst-performing teams in the league – Sporting Kansas City ($12.4 million total payroll) and Philadelphia Union ($11.7 million) – are also the lowest spenders on player salaries.
San Diego FC’s struggles with Hirving Lozano’s situation are evident. The 30-year-old winger, who has been suspended and will not play for the club again, still earns $9.3 million annually without playing a minute this season – nearly three times the salary of teammate Anders Dreyer ($3.6 million). Lozano’s contract runs through 2028 and was signed before technical director Tyler Heaps joined the club.
Several notable newcomers also feature in the salary data. Thomas Muller’s full salary ($5.2 million) was disclosed for the first time after he accepted a lower initial salary when joining in late 2025 to facilitate a quick integration. Former Germany international Timo Werner ($4.3 million) is the top earner at San Jose Earthquakes, while ex-Norwich striker Josh Sargent signed a $5.3 million deal with Toronto FC. Other high-profile new signings include Facundo Torres (Austin FC, $4.4 million), German Berterame (Inter Miami, $3.8 million), Mateusz Bogusz (Houston Dynamo, $2.5 million), and Morgan Gilawo (Real Salt Lake, $2.2 million).
With Messi’s massive salary contributing significantly, the total annual cost of an “all-star” team comprising the highest-paid players at each position would exceed $74 million – comparable to the lowest-spending Premier League team’s wage bill.
The salary data also reveals the teams that have increased spending the most between fall 2025 and spring 2026: San Jose Earthquakes (+42.6%), Toronto FC (+37.3%), Austin FC (+26.7%), Houston Dynamo (+24.5%), Vancouver Whitecaps (+21.5%), LA Galaxy (+18.5%), and Columbus Crew (+16.3%). Conversely, the biggest decreases were seen at Sporting Kansas City (-29.8%), Portland Timbers (-17.6%), Orlando City (-14.7%), Seattle Sounders (-13.5%), and Philadelphia Union (-12.7%).