The Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA) has revealed the updated ranking of the highest-paid players in the league, and once again Lionel Messi sits comfortably at the top with a massive gap over the rest.

The Argentine captain and Inter Miami superstar earns an annual salary of $28,333,333, making him the highest-paid footballer in MLS by a huge margin. His salary is more than double that of any other player in the league.

In second place is South Korean star Son Heung-min of Los Angeles FC, who earns $11,152,852 per season. Completing the top three is Rodrigo De Paul, Messi’s teammate at Inter Miami, with annual earnings of $9,688,320 following his arrival at the club in 2025.

One of the most eye-catching aspects of the ranking is the comparison between Thomas Müller and Riqui Puig. The Spanish midfielder from LA Galaxy slightly surpasses the German veteran of Vancouver Whitecaps in yearly salary.

 MLS salary rankings

1. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) — $28,333,333
2. Son Heung-min (LAFC) — $11,152,852
3. Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami) — $9,688,320
4. Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United) — $7,871,000
5. Hirving Lozano (San Diego FC) — $9,333,333
6. Emil Forsberg (New York Red Bulls) — $6,035,625
7. Sam Surridge (Nashville SC) — $5,933,000
8. Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy) — $5,792,188
9. Thomas Müller (Vancouver Whitecaps) — $5,152,504
10. Jonathan Bamba (Chicago Fire FC) — $5,581,806

Messi remains the biggest sporting and commercial figure in MLS, leading not only on the pitch but also financially, where he continues to stand far above every other star in American soccer.

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