Lionel Messi on Top: The 5 highest-paid MLS players

Major League Soccer (MLS) continues to grow steadily in popularity across the United States and Canada, firmly establishing itself as the fourth-most followed sports league in both countries.

The league’s rapid rise has been fueled in part by the arrival of global football icon Lionel Messi, who joined Inter Miami in the summer of 2023. His signing sparked a nationwide frenzy dubbed “Messimania,” significantly elevating the MLS’s profile both domestically and internationally.

According to the latest MLS Players Association (MLSPA) Salary Guide, several world-class stars are now earning multi-million-dollar contracts. Here’s a look at the five highest-paid players in MLS for 2025:

1. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) – $20.45 million

Unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi tops the list as the league’s best-paid player, earning $20.45 million annually. At 38, the Argentine superstar continues to justify every cent of his salary, having led Inter Miami to the 2023 Leagues Cup title and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield.

Messi’s dominance shows no signs of waning — he captured the 2025 MLS Golden Boot after scoring 29 goals in 28 matches and claimed the 2024 MLS Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. He’s now on track to become the first player in league history to win the honor in back-to-back seasons.

2. Son Heung-min (Los Angeles FC) – $11.15 million

The only player besides Messi earning over $10 million per year, Son Heung-min joined Los Angeles FC from Tottenham Hotspur for a record $26.5 million transfer fee. The South Korean captain has made an instant impact, scoring nine goals in his first 10 appearances and bringing global attention to LAFC and the league as a whole.

3. Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami) – $8.78 million  

Widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation, Sergio Busquets reunited with Messi at Inter Miami in 2023 after a legendary career with Barcelona. The 37-year-old’s leadership and composure have been vital to Miami’s recent success, including their Leagues Cup and Supporters’ Shield triumphs.

Busquets has announced that the current season will be his last before retiring at the end of the campaign.

Do any of these @MLS salaries surprise you? 💰👀 pic.twitter.com/XH3uqytpCF

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 30, 2025

4. Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United) – $7.87 million

Paraguayan playmaker Miguel Almirón made his return to Atlanta United in January 2025 for a second stint, having previously starred for the club between 2016 and 2019, leading them to the 2018 MLS Cup title. After six seasons in the Premier League with Newcastle United, Almirón brings valuable experience back to Atlanta, tallying six goals in 31 appearances so far this season.

5. Hirving Lozano (San Diego FC) – $7.63 million  

Mexican star Hirving “Chucky” Lozano rounds out the top five after joining expansion club San Diego FC for around $12 million on a four-year deal. Known for his explosive pace and creativity, Lozano has been a standout performer in his debut MLS campaign, contributing nine goals and eight assists while establishing himself as the face of San Diego’s new franchise.

As MLS continues to attract elite international talent, these high-profile signings highlight the league’s growing financial power — and its determination to compete with the world’s top football competitions.

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