Lionel Messi is Major League Soccer\'s highest-paid player with a total guaranteed compensation of $20.45 million.
The salary is not comprehensive of his earnings, however, as he also benefits from other revenue streams such as his endorsement deal with Adidas and a revenue-sharing agreement with Apple. Messi could earn up to $150 million over his 2.5 year contract signed with Inter Miami and the MLS last year.
Toronto FC forward Lorenzo Insigne ranked second with a guaranteed compensation of $15.44 million, followed by Messi\'s Inter Miami teammate Sergio Busquets at $8.77 million.
Chicago Fire forward Xherdan Shaqiri, the league\'s top earner at this time a year ago, is in fourth position at $8.15 million followed by Austin FC forward Sebastián Driussi at $6.72 million.
Messi\'s $20.4 million salary is more than the entire payroll of 25 other MLS clubs.
Total guaranteed compensation per team:
1. Inter Miami - $41.68 million
2. Toronto FC - $31.41 million
3. Chicago Fire - $25.13 million
4. Nashville SC - $21.4 million
5. FC Cincinnati - $18.71 million
6. Austin FC - $18.41 million
7. New England Revolution - $18.32 million
8. LA Galaxy - $17.93 million
9. New York Red Bulls - $17.11 million
10. Houston Dynamo - $16.77 million
11. Atlanta United - $16.66 million
12. Seattle Sounders - $16.58 million
13. New York City FC - $16.54 million
14. Colorado Rapids - $16.33 million
15. FC Dallas - $16.23 million
16. D.C. United - $16.17 million
17. LAFC - $15.9 million
18. Sporting Kansas City - $15.87 million
19. Portland Timbers - $15.37 million
20. Vancouver Whitecaps - $15.2 million
21. Columbus Crew - $15.19 million
22. Orlando City - $15.07 million
23. Minnesota United - $14.91 million
24. Philadelphia Union - $14.82 million
25. Charlotte FC - $14.53 million
26. San Jose Earthquakes - $13.63 million
27. Real Salt Lake - $13.6 million
28. CF Montréal - $12.05 million
29. St. Louis City - $11.79 million