Messi is MLS's top earner once again: 2026 salary release takeaways
Summary
Lionel Messi is the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer (MLS), earning $28.3 million in his fourth season with Inter Miami. The MLS Players Association released salary information for all teams, showing wide differences in player pay across the league.Key Facts
- Messi earns $28.3 million annually after signing his second MLS contract.
- The second-highest paid player is Son Heung-min from Los Angeles FC, making $11.2 million.
- Rodrigo De Paul earns $9.7 million, ranking third in MLS salaries.
- Only one MLS team spends more on its entire roster than Miami pays Messi alone.
- Sporting Kansas City and Philadelphia Union have the league’s lowest wage bills and are among the worst performers.
- Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano is paid $9.3 million by San Diego FC despite not playing due to a dispute.
- New signings and raises include Timo Werner ($4.3 million), Josh Sargent ($5.3 million), Facundo Torres ($4.4 million), and Cristian Espinoza ($2.3 million).
- James Rodríguez joined Minnesota on a half-year, team-friendly deal with an annual salary of $684,000.
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