Lionel Messi remains Major League Soccer\'s highest-paid player with $20.45 million in guaranteed compensation for the second straight year. The MLS Players Association released the salary data as of May 25, 2025.
Messi\'s reported compensation reflects only his playing salary and excludes additional revenue streams including his Adidas endorsement deal and Apple broadcast revenue-sharing agreement. According to Sportico, the Argentina star could earn up to $150 million over his two-and-a-half year contract signed in summer 2023.
Toronto FC forward Lorenzo Insigne ranked second with $15.44 million in guaranteed compensation. Messi\'s Inter Miami teammate Sergio Busquets earned $8.5 million, placing third on the list.
Atlanta United forward Miguel Almiron ($7.87 million) and San Diego FC forward Hirving Lozano ($7.63 million) rounded out the top five highest-paid players. Insigne previously held the league\'s top salary position before Messi\'s arrival two years ago.
Inter Miami\'s total guaranteed compensation reached $46.84 million, exceeding their previous league record by $5 million. The figure represents more than double the spending of all but two other MLS teams.
Toronto FC ranked second in team spending at $34.15 million, followed by Atlanta United at $27.63 million. CF Montreal spent the least at $11.99 million, with Philadelphia Union ($13.37 million) ranking second-lowest.
The average guaranteed compensation across MLS increased 9.22% to $649,199 from $594,390 in spring 2024. The median salary rose 10.1% to $339,876 from $308,750 the previous year.
A total of 131 players now earn at least $1 million in guaranteed compensation, up from 115 players one year ago. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement runs through the 2027 season.
1. Inter Miami - $46.84m
2. Toronto FC - $34.15m
3. Atlanta United - $27.63m
4. FC Cincinnati - $23.18m
5. LA Galaxy - $22.87m
6. LAFC - $22.37m
7. Chicago Fire - $22.05m
8. Nashville SC - $21.75m
9. New York Red Bulls - $21.54m
10. San Diego FC - $20.03m
11. Portland Timbers - $19.57m
12. FC Dallas - $18.98m
13. St. Louis City - $18.11m
14. Seattle Sounders - $18.09m
15. Sporting Kansas City - $17.72m
16. New England Revolution - $17.19m
17. San Jose Earthquakes - $17.19m
18. Charlotte FC - $17.13m
19. Orlando City - $16.44m
20. Columbus Crew - $16.36m
21. Vancouver Whitecaps - $15.71m
22. Colorado Rapids - $15.48m
23. Austin FC - $15.33m
24. New York City FC - $14.96m
25. D.C. United - $14.62m
26. Minnesota United - $13.8m
27. Houston Dynamo - $13.41m
28. Real Salt Lake - $13.41m
29. Philadelphia Union - $13.37m
30. CF Montreal - $11.99m