(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Lionel Messi Remains MLS Highest-Paid Player With $25 Million Salary
LOS ANGELES: Lionel Messi continues to top the Major League Soccer (MLS) salary list as the highest-paid player in the league, earning a base salary of $25 million per year.
According to the latest figures released by the MLS Players Association, Messi’s total guaranteed compensation stands at approximately $28.3 million following his contract extension with Inter Miami in October. The deal will keep him at the club until the 2028 season.
The report shows that Messi’s base salary has significantly increased, placing him far ahead of other stars in the league.
South Korean forward Son Heung-min, who joined Los Angeles FC last year, is the second-highest earner with a base salary of $10.36 million and total guaranteed compensation of $11.2 million.
Messi’s Inter Miami and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul ranks third with $9.7 million in guaranteed earnings. Mexico’s Hirving Lozano is fourth with $9.3 million, while Atlanta United’s Miguel Almirón completes the top five with $7.9 million.
The MLS Players Association reported that total league-wide compensation has reached $631 million, with the average player earning around $688,816 in guaranteed pay — marking an 8.9% increase compared to last year.
Messi, now 38, has continued his strong form in MLS, scoring 59 goals in 64 regular-season appearances. Last season, he finished as the league’s top scorer with 29 goals and was also named Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year.
His contract reportedly also includes additional benefits not reflected in salary figures, including potential ownership stakes in Inter Miami.
