Lionel Messi doubles salary, remains undisputed leader in US championship

Lionel Messi has consolidated his status as the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer after his base salary at Inter Miami CF was increased to $25 million in 2026, more than double what he earned when he arrived in Florida in 2023. According to data published by the MLS Players Association, the Argentine world champion's guaranteed annual remuneration amounts to $28.33 million, an amount that includes base salary and contractual bonuses. At 38 years old, Messi remains by far the highest-paid footballer in the North American championship. In second place in the MLS salary ranking is Son Heung-min, recently transferred to Los Angeles FC, with guaranteed income of approximately $11.15 million. The podium is completed by Rodrigo De Paul, Messi's teammate at Inter Miami, who earns almost $9.7 million annually. Also on the top of the salary list is Thomas Muller, the former FC Bayern Munich player who has joined Vancouver Whitecaps FC, where he receives a salary of over $5.1 million.

• Contract extended until 2028

In October 2025, Messi extended his contract with Inter Miami until the end of the 2028 season, after making a decisive contribution to winning the first MLS title in the club's history. In the 2025 season, the Argentine star had impressive figures: 29 goals and 19 assists, performances that confirmed his sporting and commercial impact on the club and the entire league. The data published by the players' union does not include income from sponsorships and personal partnerships, which means that Messi's real income is significantly higher.

• How much does Lionel Messi really earn

In addition to his official MLS salary, Messi benefits from major commercial deals with Adidas, a share of Apple TV revenue

through the MLS Season Pass service, and numerous advertising contracts.

According to Forbes estimates, Messi's total income in 2025 was approximately $135 million, which placed him in second place in the ranking of the highest-paid footballers in the world.

• Cristiano Ronaldo dominates world sports

Cristiano Ronaldo remains the highest-paid athlete globally. According to Forbes' ranking for 2025, the Portuguese star from Al Nassr FC earned an estimated income of $280 million, of which approximately $230 million came from his sports contract, and the rest from commercial and image activities. If Cristiano Ronaldo dominates the global rankings thanks to his exceptional contract in Saudi Arabia and the commercial empire built under the CR7 brand, Lionel Messi continues to demonstrate that he can transform an emerging league like MLS into an economic and media phenomenon. The official salary of 28.3 million dollars represents only part of Messi's financial impact. His presence has contributed to the growth of audiences, ticket sales, streaming subscriptions and the commercial value of the entire North American league.

• An increasingly attractive championship for world stars

Major League Soccer, whose season runs from February to December, attracts more and more big names in international football. With Messi in the spotlight and with salaries in the millions of dollars, MLS is consolidating itself as an increasingly attractive destination both from a sporting and financial point of view.

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