Lionel Messi, Son Heung-Min, and Chucky Lozano: Top 10 Highest-Paid MLS Players in 2026

Messi and Rodrigo De Paul have both played major roles in Inter Miami’s recent success and continue to justify their massive salaries with consistent performances on the pitch. 

The two Argentines were instrumental in helping the Herons lift the MLS Cup last season, and in 2026 the club once again remains among the strongest teams in the Eastern Conference.

Meanwhile, Son Heung-min has also made an immediate impact since arriving at LAFC. The South Korean star has quickly become one of the league’s standout players, helping LAFC remain one of the top contenders in the Western Conference while also bringing huge attention to MLS globally ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Messi Ahead of Son and Müller in MLS Salaries 

The salary figures released by MLS only include official club payments such as base salary and guaranteed compensation. They do not include extra earnings from sponsorships, endorsements or personal commercial deals.

That is why Lionel Messi’s official guaranteed compensation at Inter Miami is listed as $28.33 million, even though reports often estimate his total yearly earnings to be much higher.

Apart from his Inter Miami salary, Messi also earns massive money through sponsorships with brands like Adidas and Apple, along with special MLS revenue-sharing agreements. 

Reports in 2026 also revealed that his Inter Miami deal includes an ownership stake in the club, which increases his overall earnings significantly.

Messi has also expanded into soccer ownership outside MLS. In April 2026, he officially became the owner of Spanish club UE Cornellà, adding to his growing portfolio of soccer businesses. 

He is also involved in Deportivo LSM in Uruguay alongside Luis Suárez. Beyond soccer, Messi continues to invest heavily in hotels, real estate and his MiM hotel chain.

The MLSPA also released the expenditure by team figures for the 2026 season, with Inter Miami leading the league at $54.6 million in guaranteed compensation, LAFC ranked second with $32.7 million, while Atlanta United completed the top three at $27.9 million.

At the other end of the table, Philadelphia Union recorded the league’s lowest squad expenditure at $11.7 million, followed by Sporting Kansas City at $12.4 million and CF Montréal at $13.4 million.