Lionel Messi continues to reign as the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer (MLS), commanding a guaranteed compensation of $20.4 million for the 2025 season. This figure, revealed in the latest salary guide released by the MLS Players Association (MLSPA), solidifies Messi's financial dominance in the league, surpassing not only individual player earnings but also the entire payrolls of many other MLS teams. His contract includes a $12 million base salary in addition to marketing bonuses and agent fees.
Beyond his substantial club salary, Messi's overall income is significantly amplified by lucrative endorsement deals and a revenue-sharing agreement with Apple TV. Annually, his earnings are estimated to be around $60 million from playing soccer and an additional $75 million from endorsements. His major sponsorship deals include Adidas, with whom he has a lifetime deal reportedly worth over $20 million per year, PepsiCo, Budweiser, Mastercard, and Gatorade.
Messi's influence extends beyond the financial realm, with his arrival at Inter Miami having a transformative impact on the club and the league. Since joining in July 2023, he has led Inter Miami to its first-ever Leagues Cup title in 2023 and the MLS Supporters' Shield in 2024. He has also propelled the team to the semi-finals of the ConcaChampions. His presence has not only elevated Inter Miami's performance but has also significantly boosted the profile of MLS, attracting more global attention and talent to the league.
The top 10 highest-paid players in MLS in 2025, after Messi, are Lorenzo Insigne (Toronto FC) at $15.4 million, Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami) at $8.77 million, Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United) at $7.87 million, Hirving Lozano (San Diego FC) at $7.63 million, Federico Bernardeschi (Toronto FC) at $6.3 million, Emil Forsberg (New York Red Bulls) at $6 million, Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy) at $5.8 million, Jonathan Bamba (Chicago Fire) at $5.6 million, and Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC) at $5.3 million. Inter Miami also has the highest total team salary at $46.84 million.
While Messi's current contract with Inter Miami is set to expire at the end of 2025, negotiations for a contract extension are reportedly in advanced stages. Club ownership is keen to secure Messi's continued presence, particularly with the opening of Miami Freedom Park in early 2026. Beyond his playing career, Messi's agreement includes an option to acquire equity in Inter Miami, further solidifying his long-term association with the club.
In addition to his football career, Messi has ventured into various business endeavors. He owns the MiM Hotels, a collection of boutique hotels in Ibiza, Mallorca, and Andorra, and has invested in real estate, owning luxurious homes in Barcelona, Rosario, Miami, and Mallorca. He also has his own clothing brand, the Messi Store, and launched a sports and energy drink brand called Más+ by Messi in 2024. His investments and business ventures have contributed to his estimated net worth of $650 million as of 2025.
