
Lionel Messi is without a doubt the biggest star in MLS, but since the Argentine arrived in the United States, other important players have also done it.
One example is Son Heung-Min, a South Korean player who joined Los Angeles FC from Tottenham Hotspur for around $25.5 million, according to Transfermarkt.
Son, 33, quickly made an impact, as since arriving at the Californian club, he has played 10 games and has recorded nine goals and two assists. More goal contributions than games.
With Son being a superstar, and considering that MLS has a controlled salary cap, the question has arisen of who has a higher salary, him or Messi, 38.
According to Fox Sports, the Argentine star has a base salary of $12 million that rises to $20.4 million considering other compensations with Inter Miami.
On the other hand, second place belongs to Son, who earns $10.36 million per year at LAFC.
The list places Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami, $8.49m) in third place, Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United, $6.056m) fourth, Hirving Lozano (San Diego FC, $6m) fifth, Emil Forsberg (NY Red Bulls, $5.4m - $6.035m with guaranteed compensations) sixth, Jordi Alba (Inter Miami, $6m) seventh, Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy, $5.125m) eighth, Jonathan Bamba (Chicago Fire, $5m) ninth and Hany Mukthar (Nashville SC, $3.9m) in tenth place.
| Player | Club | Base Salary | Guaranteed Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
Lionel Messi |
Inter Miami |
$12,000,000 |
$20,446,667 |
Son Heung-min |
LAFC |
$10,368,750 |
$11,152,852 |
Sergio Busquets |
Inter Miami |
$8,499,996 |
$8,774,996 |
Miguel Almirón |
Atlanta United |
$6,056,000 |
$7,871,000 |
Hirving Lozano |
San Diego FC |
$6,000,000 |
$7,633,333 |
Emil Forsberg |
New York Red Bulls |
$5,405,000 |
$6,035,625 |
Jordi Alba |
Inter Miami |
$6,000,000 |
$6,000,000 |
Riqui Puig |
LA Galaxy |
$5,125,000 |
$5,779,688 |
Jonathan Bamba |
Chicago Fire |
$5,000,000 |
$5,581,806 |
Hany Mukhtar |
Nashville SC |
$3,900,000 |
$5,311,667 |
Christian Benteke |
DC United |
$4,500,000 |
$4,937,500 |
Source: Fox Sports
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