Lionel Messi remains far and away MLS’s highest-paid player after re-signing with Inter Miami, with guaranteed compensation of $28.333 million this season and a base salary that jumped to $25 million under a contract running through 2028–29 — a pay gap that reshapes roster planning and market expectations across the league.
Messi’s new deal: numbers and scope
Lionel Messi’s guaranteed compensation for the season is $28.333 million, a 39 percent increase from his previous package. His base salary rose to $25 million from $12 million, and his contract extends through the 2028–29 season. With his ownership stake in Inter Miami factored in, club leadership has indicated Messi’s total annual take — salary plus equity value — sits well above on-field pay alone.
Why the increase matters on and off the pitch
Messi remains an elite performer: since arriving late in 2023 he has produced 59 goals and 41 assists in 64 regular-season appearances, and he delivered six goals and nine assists across six playoff games en route to Miami’s first MLS Cup. The new deal locks in a generational star through multiple World Cup cycles and cements Inter Miami’s commercial and competitive centerpiece, while widening an already vast salary gap in MLS.
Performance justification
At 38, Messi still influences matches at an elite level; this contract rewards sustained on-field output and global marketability. For Inter Miami it’s both a sporting commitment and a long-term business play: retaining Messi preserves ticket premiums, sponsorships, and brand momentum.
Top earners across MLS — who else is near the top?
Second on the league compensation chart is Son Heung-min, who moved to Los Angeles FC and has total earnings above $11 million. Inter Miami places two more players in the top 25: Rodrigo De Paul ($9.688M) and Germán Berterame ($3.834M). Other notable names in the top 10 include Hirving Lozano (San Diego), Miguel Almirón (Atlanta) and Emil Forsberg (New York Red Bulls).
Top 25 snapshot
Lionel Messi, Miami — $28.333M
Son Heung-min, LAFC — $11.152M
Rodrigo De Paul, Miami — $9.688M
Hirving Lozano, San Diego — $9.333M
Miguel Almirón, Atlanta — $7.871M
Emil Forsberg, New York Red Bulls — $6.035M
Sam Surridge, Nashville — $5.933M
Riqui Puig, LA Galaxy — $5.792M
Jonathan Bamba, Chicago — $5.581M
Hany Mukhtar, Nashville — $5.411M
Josh Sargent, Toronto — $5.265M
Thomas Müller, Vancouver — $5.125M
Aleksei Miranchuk, Atlanta — $5.085M
Carles Gil, New England — $4.952M
Denis Bouanga, LAFC — $4.939M
Evander, Cincinnati — $4.736M
Joseph Paintsil, LA Galaxy — $4.502M
Facundo Torres, Austin — $4.405M
Timo Werner, San Jose — $4.268M
Miles Robinson, Cincinnati — $3.950M
Germán Berterame, Miami — $3.834M
Kevin Denkey, Cincinnati — $3.810M
Emmanuel Latte Lath, Atlanta — $3.736M
Brandon Vázquez, Austin — $3.701M
Ryan Gauld, Vancouver — $3.675M
Wider payroll trends and roster implications
Of the 917 players under contract this spring, roughly 3.9 percent are guaranteed at least $3 million and 14.5 percent at least $1 million. The league-wide average base salary hovers around the mid six figures, but pockets of high pay are concentrated at clubs that compete for titles and international profile. Vancouver and Toronto lead in the number of players earning $1M-plus, underlining differing roster-building strategies among clubs.
What this means for teams and the league
Messi’s contract intensifies contrasts between star-focused clubs and those prioritizing depth and youth. Expect targeted roster moves from rivals aiming to close the competitive gap on the field, while many clubs will continue to balance salary allocation with academy development and discovery-market signings.
For MLS, the headline numbers are a double-edged sword: they boost global relevance but raise questions about competitive balance and long-term salary inflation.
Looking ahead: stability, competition and market pressure
Locking Messi in through 2028–29 provides Inter Miami stability at the sport’s most valuable asset, but it also sets a benchmark for future DP-level negotiations. The broader salary distribution points to an evolving league where a handful of marquee signings drive commercial returns while most clubs navigate fiscal prudence.
For fans and competitors, the next moves—international signings, contract renewals and youth promotions—will reveal whether MLS can grow inclusively or tip further toward star-driven economics.
Yahoo! News
