Messi Tops MLS Earnings
Lionel Messi, the acclaimed forward for Inter Miami, has topped the earnings chart in Major League Soccer for the second consecutive year, bringing in a guaranteed salary of $20.45 million, as disclosed by the MLS Players Association. This sum exclusively represents Messi’s on-field remuneration and does not encapsulate his broader financial portfolio, which includes a lucrative endorsement partnership with Adidas and substantial profits from a revenue-sharing deal with Apple, a primary broadcasting partner of the league.
Reports from Sportico suggest that Messi’s contractual agreement—spanning two and a half years since his summer 2023 signing—could potentially net him $150 million throughout its duration.
Top Salary Rankings
Following Messi in the salary rankings is Toronto FC forward Lorenzo Insigne, who is guaranteed $15.44 million. Messi’s teammate, Sergio Busquets, secures the third spot at $8.5 million. In fourth place is Miguel Almirón from Atlanta United, earning $7.87 million, with Hirving “Chucky” Lozano of San Diego FC taking fifth at $7.63 million.
The salary data, valid as of May 25, 2025, marks the milestone for the league, as the MLSPA customarily releases salary information biannually. Notably, just two years prior, Insigne held the title of the league’s highest-paid player shortly before Messi joined the league.
Team Payrolls Overview
When it comes to team payrolls, Inter Miami significantly leads all franchises with a total player compensation of $46.84 million, exceeding their own league record by $5 million from last year and more than doubling the payrolls of all but two teams. Toronto FC follows with a salary expenditure of $34.15 million, trailed by Atlanta United at $27.63 million and FC Cincinnati at $23.18 million. The reigning champions, LA Galaxy, round out the top five with a total of $22.87 million.
On the other end of the spectrum, CF Montréal holds the position for least spending at $11.99 million, closely followed by the Philadelphia Union at $13.37 million, Real Salt Lake at $13.41 million, the Houston Dynamo at $13.41 million, and Minnesota United at $13.80 million.
Average Salary Trends
The average salary across the league has also seen a positive shift, with guaranteed compensation rising to $649,199—an increase of 9.22% from the spring 2024 figure of $594,390. The median salary has similarly climbed, moving from $308,750 last year to $339,876 this year. Currently, 131 players are set to earn at least $1 million, up from 115 the previous year.
League Financial Context
The current standings reflect the fifth year under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which was established in February 2021 and is effective through the conclusion of the 2027 season.
Here’s a breakdown of total guaranteed compensation for the top teams in the league:
- Inter Miami – $46.84 million
- Toronto FC – $34.15 million
- Atlanta United – $27.63 million
- FC Cincinnati – $23.18 million
- LA Galaxy – $22.87 million
- LAFC – $22.37 million
- Chicago Fire – $22.05 million
- Nashville SC – $21.75 million
- New York Red Bulls – $21.54 million
- San Diego FC – $20.03 million
- Portland Timbers – $19.57 million
- FC Dallas – $18.98 million
- St. Louis City – $18.11 million
- Seattle Sounders – $18.09 million
- Sporting Kansas City – $17.72 million
- New England Revolution – $17.19 million
- San Jose Earthquakes – $17.19 million
- Charlotte FC – $17.13 million
- Orlando City – $16.44 million
- Columbus Crew – $16.36 million
- Vancouver Whitecaps – $15.71 million
- Colorado Rapids – $15.48 million
- Austin FC – $15.33 million
- New York City FC – $14.96 million
- D.C. United – $14.62 million
- Minnesota United – $13.80 million
- Houston Dynamo – $13.41 million
- Real Salt Lake – $13.41 million
- Philadelphia Union – $13.37 million
- CF Montréal – $11.99 million
