Salary figures released by the MLS Players Association and cited by Naijastreetmatters on Wednesday revealed that the Argentine superstar now earns a base salary of $25 million (£18.5m) annually, placing him far ahead of every other player in the league.
Messi’s total guaranteed earnings are estimated at about $28.3 million (£20.9m).
The 38-year-old extended his stay with Inter Miami in October, further strengthening his influence on MLS since making the move to the United States in 2023.
Former Tottenham Hotspur FC star Son Heung-min currently ranks as the second-highest paid player in the league with an annual salary of £8.3m.
Rodrigo De Paul and Hirving Lozano are also listed among the top earners in MLS.
The published salary figures exclude endorsement deals and Messi’s option to own a stake in Inter Miami, the club partly owned by David Beckham.
Since arriving in Florida, Messi has significantly boosted the global popularity of MLS.
The Argentine icon has scored 59 goals in 64 league appearances and played a key role in helping Inter Miami win the MLS Cup in 2025.
He also ended last season as the league’s leading scorer with 29 goals while continuing to dominate both on and off the pitch through his performances and commercial appeal.
