The financial landscape of Major League Soccer has been forever transformed since Lionel Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami. The Argentine superstar’s guaranteed compensation of $20.4 million not only makes him the highest-paid player in MLS for the third consecutive year but also exceeds the total payrolls of more than 20 entire franchises across the league.
This staggering figure represents more than just individual excellence – it’s a testament to the seismic shift occurring within American soccer’s premier competition. LAFC’s Son Heung-min has emerged as the second-highest earner with $11.2 million in guaranteed compensation, establishing a new tier of elite earners that signals MLS’s growing ambitions on the global stage.
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The Messi Effect: Redefining Financial Boundaries
Messi’s total compensation extends far beyond his base salary, with Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas previously stating the Argentine’s complete package, including revenue from the league’s Apple TV deal, ranges between $50-60 million annually. This comprehensive arrangement showcases how MLS has evolved its business model to attract world-class talent.
The financial disparity becomes even more striking when examining team-by-team expenditures across the league:
MLS Team Payroll Comparison 2025
| Team Category | Annual Payroll Range | Example Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Highest Spenders | $30M+ | Inter Miami ($48.97M), Toronto FC ($27M), Atlanta United ($21.83M) |
| Mid-Tier Spenders | $15M-20M | LA Galaxy ($18.07M), FC Cincinnati ($18.31M) |
| Conservative Spenders | $10M-15M | Columbus Crew ($12.92M), Orlando City ($13M), Charlotte FC ($13.53M) |
| Lowest Spenders | Under $12M | CF Montréal ($11.99M), Philadelphia Union ($13.37M), Real Salt Lake ($10.59M) |
CF Montréal operates with the league’s most modest budget at approximately $11.99 million, while Philadelphia Union follows closely with $13.37 million. This means Messi’s individual salary nearly doubles the entire roster investment of these franchises.
Son Heung-min’s Historic Arrival
The South Korean international’s transfer to LAFC represents another watershed moment for MLS. Son’s $11.2 million guaranteed compensation makes him only the second player in league history to surpass the $10 million threshold, joining Messi in an exclusive category that signals the league’s growing financial power.
Inter Miami had two players in the top three earners: Messi at $20.45 million and Sergio Busquets third at $8.8 million, demonstrating how the club has assembled a constellation of elite talent that fundamentally altered competitive dynamics.
Top 10 MLS Earners 2025
| Rank | Player | Team | Annual Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lionel Messi | Inter Miami | $20.4M |
| 2 | Son Heung-min | LAFC | $11.2M |
| 3 | Sergio Busquets | Inter Miami | $8.8M |
| 4 | Miguel Almirón | Atlanta United | $6.1M |
| 5 | Hirving Lozano | San Diego FC | $6.0M |
| 6 | Xherdan Shaqiri | Chicago Fire | $5.2M |
| 7 | Sebastián Driussi | Austin FC | $4.8M |
| 8 | Emil Forsberg | New York Red Bulls | $4.5M |
| 9 | Héctor Herrera | Houston Dynamo | $4.2M |
| 10 | Hany Mukhtar | Nashville SC | $4.0M |
The Designated Player Revolution
Miami can pay Messi such extraordinary compensation through the “Designated Player” rule, originally introduced to attract David Beckham to LA Galaxy in 2007 with a $6.5 million base salary. This mechanism has evolved dramatically, now accommodating salaries that would have been unimaginable during the rule’s inception.
The strategic implications extend beyond individual contracts. Inter Miami’s total spending reached a record $48.97 million in 2025, though they missed a second consecutive Supporters’ Shield triumph to the low-spending Philadelphia Union, illustrating that financial investment doesn’t guarantee immediate success.
League-Wide Financial Growth
The average guaranteed base compensation across MLS continues climbing annually, reaching $632,809 in 2025, representing a 6.1% increase from September 2024’s mark of $596,226. This upward trajectory benefits players throughout the league, not just marquee signings.
The league’s median guaranteed base compensation rose to $338,347, up 9.7% from 2024’s figure of $308,375, demonstrating how elite player acquisitions create a rising tide that elevates compensation across all salary levels.
Financial Sustainability vs. Competitive Balance
The dramatic spending disparities raise important questions about MLS’s long-term competitive balance. While CF Montréal operates efficiently with their modest $11.99 million budget, they face the monumental challenge of competing against Inter Miami’s nearly $49 million investment.
Recent reports suggest frustrations among some clubs regarding how Inter Miami circumvented salary cap rules to sign Rodrigo De Paul, highlighting ongoing tensions between aggressive spending and league parity mechanisms.
Global Context and Future Implications
Messi’s MLS compensation, while record-breaking domestically, represents a fascinating case study in global soccer economics. The Argentine has earned more than $600 million in pre-tax salary throughout his career spanning Barcelona and Inter Miami, yet his current deal reflects MLS’s strategic positioning rather than maximum earning potential.
Messi recently signed an extension with Inter Miami through the 2028 season, ensuring his continued presence will shape league development for years to come. This commitment signals both personal satisfaction with the MLS experience and confidence in American soccer’s trajectory.
The ripple effects extend beyond individual clubs. Son’s LAFC contract runs through 2027 with options extending to 2029, suggesting other franchises are similarly investing in long-term star power to compete in this new financial landscape.
Lionel Messi’s unprecedented $20.4 million salary represents more than statistical supremacy – it embodies MLS’s transformation into a destination league capable of attracting and retaining global superstars. While his individual compensation exceeds the complete payrolls of more than two-thirds of MLS franchises, it also demonstrates the league’s growing commercial sophistication and international ambitions.
Son Heung-min’s emergence as the league’s second-highest earner further validates this evolution, establishing a new tier of elite compensation that reflects MLS’s commitment to competing for world-class talent. As these financial dynamics continue reshaping American soccer, the challenge lies in balancing star power with competitive parity – ensuring that record-breaking individual investments enhance rather than undermine the league’s collective appeal.
The Messi era has fundamentally altered MLS economics, creating opportunities and challenges that will define the league’s next chapter. Whether this financial revolution translates into sustained global relevance remains the ultimate test of these unprecedented investments.
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FAQs
How much does Lionel Messi earn at Inter Miami?
Lionel Messi earns $20.4 million in guaranteed compensation at Inter Miami, making him MLS’s highest-paid player for the third consecutive year.
Which MLS teams have lower payrolls than Messi’s individual salary?
More than 20 MLS franchises have total team payrolls lower than Messi’s $20.4 million salary, including CF Montréal ($11.99M), Philadelphia Union ($13.37M), and Real Salt Lake ($10.59M).
Who is the second-highest paid player in MLS?
Son Heung-min of LAFC is the second-highest paid MLS player with $11.2 million in guaranteed compensation, making him only the second player to exceed $10 million annually.
How does the Designated Player rule allow such high salaries?
The Designated Player rule, introduced in 2007 for David Beckham, allows teams to sign up to three players whose salaries exceed the salary cap, with only a portion counting against the cap.
What is Inter Miami’s total team payroll for 2025?
Inter Miami’s total payroll reached a record $48.97 million in 2025, the highest in MLS history and nearly double most other franchises’ complete roster investments.
