Lionel Messi's financial impact on Major League Soccer continues to be monumental, as evidenced by the latest salary figures released by the MLS Players Association. The data reveals that Messi's guaranteed compensation of $20,446,667 surpasses the entire payroll of 21 other teams in the league. This eye-popping figure underscores the Argentine superstar's immense value, both on and off the field, and highlights the growing disparity in financial resources among MLS clubs.
Messi's guaranteed compensation includes his base salary, marketing bonuses, and agent fees, as stipulated in his MLS contract, which extends through the 2025 season. It's important to note that this figure doesn't account for any additional agreements with Inter Miami or its affiliates, nor does it include performance-based bonuses, potentially making his actual earnings even higher. Beyond his salary, Messi benefits from lucrative sponsorships, such as his deal with Adidas, and a share of revenue from MLS Season Pass subscriptions on Apple TV, further amplifying his overall income. Some reports estimate his total earnings over his two-and-a-half-year stint with Inter Miami could reach $150 million.
Inter Miami's financial commitment to Messi has propelled them to the top of the league in terms of overall payroll. As of May 23, 2025, the team's total payroll stood at a record $46.8 million, a significant increase from $41.7 million at the end of the previous season. This figure is nearly double that of most other teams in the league, with only Toronto FC ($34.1 million) and Atlanta United ($27.6 million) coming close. Cincinnati, LA Galaxy, Los Angeles FC, and Chicago trail behind with payrolls in the $22-$23 million range. Expansion team San Diego finds itself in the top half of spenders with a $20 million payroll. Conversely, some teams operate with significantly leaner budgets, such as CF Montreal, which has the league's lowest payroll at just under $12 million, followed by Philadelphia at $13.4 million.
The financial hierarchy in MLS is further emphasized by the concentration of high-earning players. Following Messi, Toronto FC's Lorenzo Insigne is the second-highest-paid player with $15.4 million in guaranteed compensation. Messi's teammate, Sergio Busquets, comes in third with approximately $8.8 million. Atlanta's Miguel Almirón and San Diego's Hirving Lozano round out the top five, earning $7.8 million and $7.6 million, respectively. In all, 19 players earn over $4 million, and 131 players make at least $1 million, indicating a growing class of highly compensated athletes in the league. The average guaranteed compensation across the league has also risen, reaching $649,120, a 9.2% increase from May 2024.
The substantial investment in star players and the rising average compensation reflect MLS's ambition to enhance its global appeal and competitiveness. However, the financial disparities between clubs raise questions about competitive balance and the long-term sustainability of the league's economic model. While some teams can afford to bring in world-renowned talents like Messi, others must rely on developing young players and making shrewd acquisitions within their limited budgets. As MLS continues to evolve, addressing these financial imbalances will be crucial to ensuring a level playing field and fostering a vibrant and competitive league for all its participants.
