Lionel Messi Remains MLS Highest-Paid Star in 2025 Ahead of All Rivals

The Major League Soccer Players Association has released its updated salary guide for the 2025 season, confirming Lionel Messi as the league's premier earner with a guaranteed compensation of $20.4 million annually. The eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient, now 38, continues to outpace all competitors through his contract with Inter Miami, which concludes in December 2025. This figure excludes substantial endorsement revenues, bolstering Messi's financial stature beyond the pitch. Following a recent three-year extension, the precise terms remain undisclosed, yet his dominance in earnings persists.

Messi's on-field excellence mirrors his fiscal preeminence; he clinched the regular-season Golden Boot with 29 goals across 28 appearances and stands poised to secure the Most Valuable Player accolade for the second consecutive year. His leadership has elevated Inter Miami's profile, drawing global attention to the franchise. As Argentina's national team captain, Messi's transition to MLS has redefined the league's commercial landscape, intertwining athletic prowess with unprecedented economic value.

Securing the second position is South Korea's Son Heung-min, whose $11.1 million annual guaranteed compensation with Los Angeles FC marks a substantial investment. Acquired in August through the league's costliest transfer at $26 million from Tottenham Hotspur, Son has swiftly justified the expenditure. In just 10 regular-season outings, he netted nine goals, propelling LAFC into the MLS Cup playoffs and underscoring his immediate transformative influence.

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The salary hierarchy extends to other luminaries, with Sergio Busquets claiming third place at $8.7 million before his impending retirement from Inter Miami at season's end. Fourth-ranked Miguel Almiron of Atlanta United earns $7.8 million, while Hirving "Chucky" Lozano rounds out the top five at $7.6 million with San Diego FC. These placements highlight MLS's strategy of attracting elite international talent to enhance competitiveness and market appeal.

This salary configuration reflects broader trends in Major League Soccer, where targeted acquisitions of global icons like Son amplify both sporting and financial dynamics. As the league advances toward the playoffs, these high-profile contracts signal sustained growth, positioning MLS as a viable destination for top-tier players while fostering rivalries that captivate audiences worldwide.

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