Lionel Messi has more than doubled his salary in a new contract with Inter Miami, earning more than twice as much as any other Major League Soccer player.
Messi’s new contract includes $25 million in base salary and $28,333,333 in guaranteed compensation, according to the MLS Players Association's first release of 2026 salaries.
Miami’s total payroll now stands at $54.6 million-more than $20 million higher than second-place LAFC at $32.7 million, and nearly five times the league-low $11.7 million payroll of Philadelphia. Miami's spending is up from $46.8 million at the start of last season.
Overall league compensation reached $631 million, with average guaranteed compensation rising 8.9% to $688,816.
Messi, who turns 39 next month, captained Inter Miami to its first MLS title last season after agreeing to a three-year contract through 2028. He scored 29 regular-season goals and won his second straight MVP award. In 64 regular-season games for Miami, he has 59 goals.
The second-highest-paid player is LAFC winger Son Heung-min, with a base salary of $10,368,750 and total compensation of $11,152,852. Third is Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo de Paul at $7,569,000 in base salary.
Among notable newcomers to MLS: Toronto forward Josh Sargent ($3.21 million base) and San Jose forward Timo Werner ($3.74 million base).