Lionel Messi tops 2025 MLS salary rankings, beating Son Heung-min and Sergio Busquets
Lionel Messi continues to dominate Major League Soccer both on and off the pitch. The Inter Miami superstar, fresh off another record-breaking season, tops the 2025 MLS earnings list with a guaranteed annual salary of $20.4 million (£15.4 million), according to figures released by the MLS Players Association on Wednesday.
Messi’s massive pay packet places him far ahead of any other player in the league and doesn’t even include his off-field income from sponsorships and commercial deals—part of the lucrative package he signed when he arrived in Miami in mid-2023. The contract runs through December, with a three-year extension already agreed, although details of that deal remain undisclosed.
At 38, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner shows no signs of slowing down. He finished the regular season as MLS’s top scorer with 29 goals in 28 matches, putting him in strong contention to claim the league’s Most Valuable Player award once again.
Son Heung-min makes Big Money move to LAFC
In second place on the MLS salary chart is Son Heung-min, who joined Los Angeles FC this summer after leaving Tottenham Hotspur in a historic $26 million transfer—the most expensive in MLS history. The South Korean captain earns $11.1 million (£8.4 million) annually, marking one of the highest salaries ever handed to an Asian footballer in North America.
Related: MLS smashes transfer spending record with $336 million splurge led by LAFC signing Son
Son’s arrival has already paid off for LAFC. He’s scored nine goals in just 10 matches, instantly becoming a fan favorite and helping the club secure a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs. His combination of global star power and early form has transformed LAFC’s attack and boosted the league’s international visibility.
Busquets, Almirón, and Lozano Round Out the Top Five
Messi’s Inter Miami teammate Sergio Busquets ranks third with a guaranteed salary of $8.7 million, as he prepares to retire at the end of the season. The Spanish midfielder has been a crucial figure in Miami’s possession play and leadership structure since joining alongside Messi in 2023.
Miguel Almirón of Atlanta United follows in fourth with $7.8 million (£5.9 million), marking a successful return to MLS after his stint in the Premier League with Newcastle United. In fifth place, Hirving “Chucky” Lozano earns $7.6 million (£5.7 million) with San Diego FC, one of the league’s newest and most ambitious clubs.
MLS Salary Growth Reflects Global Appeal
The latest salary data underscores MLS’s growing financial muscle and international pull. With global icons like Messi and Son drawing worldwide audiences, the league’s commercial value and competitiveness continue to rise.
Messi’s presence alone has boosted attendance, merchandise sales, and broadcast interest across North America, while Son’s arrival has strengthened MLS’s connection to Asian markets. As the league expands, more marquee signings are expected to follow in 2026 ahead of the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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