Los Angeles FC (LAFC) has made a splash in Major League Soccer (MLS) with the acquisition of Son Heung-min, whose deal places him as the second-highest-paid player in the league, only surpassed by Lionel Messi. The South Korean superstar's move to LAFC signifies a major shift in the league's landscape, further attracting global talent and increasing its international appeal.
Son Heung-min's total compensation amounts to $11.15 million annually, comprised of a $10.37 million salary. This lucrative contract reflects Son's established reputation and potential impact on LAFC and MLS. He joined LAFC in August after a decade with Tottenham, and has already made an impact by scoring nine goals in 10 MLS matches.
Lionel Messi, who plays for Inter Miami, remains the highest-paid player in MLS. The Argentinian's guaranteed compensation totals $20.4 million, including a $12 million base salary. Messi's contract, initially signed in 2023, runs through the 2025 season. Last week, Messi signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club at least through 2028. His total package over his current contract is valued at $150 million, which includes equity in the club upon his retirement.
The arrival of stars like Son and Messi has significantly impacted MLS team payrolls. Inter Miami's total guaranteed compensation stands at $46.8 million, the highest in the league. This figure exceeds the total payroll of 21 out of the 30 MLS clubs. The average guaranteed compensation for all MLS players has also risen to $649,199, a 9.22% increase from the previous year. Currently, 131 players in MLS earn at least $1 million annually.
Other notable summer signings in MLS include Hirving “Chucky” Lozano with San Diego ($7.6 million), Jonathan Bamba with Chicago ($5.6 million), and Wilfried Zaha with Charlotte ($2.8 million). These additions indicate a growing trend of attracting high-profile players to the league.
The increasing investment in player salaries reflects MLS's ambition to compete on a global scale. While Messi's earnings are substantial, they are considerably less than those of top athletes in other leagues, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, who Forbes ranks as the highest-paid athlete of 2025 with $275 million in earnings. Messi is second on the list at $135 million, which includes earnings beyond his MLS salary.
Son Heung-min's arrival and substantial salary highlight MLS's continued growth and its increasing ability to attract world-class talent. As the league continues to evolve, further changes to spending rules may be necessary to maintain competitiveness and attract top players.
