Lionel Messi remains the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer for the third consecutive year, earning a total annual compensation of $20,446,667. This amount exceeds the combined payroll of 21 teams in the league. Messi’s base salary is $12 million, as reported by the Major League Soccer Players Association on Wednesday. His compensation encompasses his MLS contract, which extends through the 2025 season, along with potential marketing incentives and agent commissions. Not included in these figures are any additional arrangements with his team or its affiliates, nor any performance-based bonuses.
The average guaranteed compensation for players in the league rose by 9.2% to $649,120 compared to May 2024. Inter Miami, Messi’s team, led the league with a record payroll of $46.8 million as of May 23, surpassing last season’s $41.7 million. Following Miami were Toronto ($34.1 million) and Atlanta ($27.6 million) with the next highest payrolls. Cincinnati ranked fourth at $23.2 million, followed by the defending champions LA Galaxy ($22.9 million), Los Angeles FC ($22.4 million), and Chicago ($22.1 million). Newly added San Diego came in 10th with a $20 million payroll. Montreal had the lowest payroll at just under $12 million, while Philadelphia was 29th at $13.4 million.
In terms of player compensation, Toronto’s Lorenzo Insigne ranked second with $15.4 million, followed by Sergio Busquets of Miami ($8,774,996), Miguel Almirón of Atlanta ($7,871,000), and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano of San Diego ($7,633,333). Notable newcomers included Emmanuel Latte Lath of Atlanta ($4,030,546), Kévin Denkey of Cincinnati ($3.81 million), Wilfried Zaha of Charlotte ($2,751,667), and Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting of New York Red Bulls ($3,530,667). The total compensation for all 902 signed players reached $586 million, marking a 12.9% increase from the previous year.
Among U.S. national team players, notable earners included Walker Zimmerman of Nashville ($3,456,979), Jordan Morris of Seattle ($2.26 million), and Jesús Ferreira of Seattle ($1,828,960). In total, 11 players earned $5 million or more, with 50 players surpassing $2 million in compensation. The overall compensation for players has shown a consistent upward trend over the past few years, indicating the league’s growth and financial stability.
