Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, a recipient of eight Ballon d’Or awards, continues to hold the top spot as the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer, with Son Heung-min of Los Angeles FC following closely behind, as per the latest salary report released on Wednesday.
Messi’s annual guaranteed salary of $20.4 million from Inter Miami significantly surpasses that of his peers. This amount excludes additional earnings from sponsorships, a part of the deal he inked upon joining Miami in mid-2023, which will run until December.
The Argentine captain, aged 38, recently secured the top scorer title for the regular season, netting 29 goals in 28 matches, making him a strong contender for the Most Valuable Player accolade.
The MLS Players Association’s salary list positions Messi at the pinnacle, with South Korean star Son securing the second spot with an annual salary of $11.1 million in his contract with LAFC. Son, who arrived in California in August from Tottenham in a record-breaking $26 million transfer, made an immediate impact by scoring nine goals in 10 games as LAFC advanced to the MLS Cup playoffs.
Sergio Busquets, a Spaniard set to retire at the season’s end with Inter Miami, occupies the third position with an annual salary of $8.7 million. Paraguayan player Miguel Almiron ($7.8 million) and Mexican Hirving “Chucky” Lozano ($7.6 million) hold the fourth and fifth spots, respectively, having been notable signings for Atlanta United and San Diego FC this season.