The MLS Players Association has released its 2026 salary information, with Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi by far the league’s highest-paid player.
According to data revealed by the MLSPA, Messi will receive guaranteed compensation of $28.3 million in 2026.
Advertisement
That figure is nearly three times the league’s second-highest earner, LAFC forward Son Heung-min, who will bring in $11.2 million this year. Rodrigo De Paul, Messi’s teammate with Inter Miami and Argentina, is third with a $9.7 million salary.
San Diego FC’s Hirving Lozano is next at $9.3 million. The Mexican forward is earning that figure for doing very little as he continues to be frozen out by the team. Rounding out the top five is Atlanta United‘s Miguel Almirón at $7.9 million.
Messi’s salary is also just a fraction of what he is actually earning. The Argentine also has an ownership share in Inter Miami included in his contract. In March, Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas revealed he pays Messi around $70-80 million per year.
The 38-year-old also has separate deals with both Fanatics and Apple that see him compensated for league merchandise sales as well as streaming subscriptions.
Advertisement
Last year, Messi led Inter Miami to the MLS Cup title and became the first MLS player to win back-to-back league MVP awards.
Highest-paid MLS players for 2026
*Guaranteed compensation
-
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami – $28,333,333
-
Son Heung-min, LAFC – $11,152,852
-
Rodrigo De Paul, Inter Miami – $9,688,320
-
Hirving Lozano, San Diego – $9,333,333
-
Miguel Almirón, Atlanta – $7,871,000
-
Thomas Müller, Vancouver – $5,152,504
-
Aleksey Miranchuk, Atlanta – $5,085,441
-
Germán Berterame, Miami – $3,824,200
-
Kévin Denkey, Cincinnati – $3,810,000
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLS highest paid players 2026: Lionel Messi tops salary rankings
