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Messi remains far ahead as MLS salary figures reveal huge differences between stars
The latest MLS salary figures have once again confirmed what many already expected: Lionel Messi remains in a financial category of his own in North American football. The Major League Soccer Players Association has published the annual salary list, a practice that has become part of the league culture in the name of transparency. Every year, these figures offer a rare look at how clubs are investing in their squads, which players are being treated as franchise-changing names, and how wide the gap can be between the biggest stars and other well-known footballers.
Messi, now the face of Inter Miami and still the biggest name in the league, sits comfortably at the top of the list. His base salary, including guaranteed bonuses, is reported at 24.1 million euros. That figure alone is enough to make him the highest-paid player in MLS by a significant distance, but it still does not tell the full story of his financial power. The number only refers to the salary paid by Inter Miami and the league structure. It does not include the many commercial deals, sponsorship agreements and external partnerships that continue to make Messi one of the highest-earning athletes in the world.
That distinction is important because MLS operates under a salary-cap system, which forces clubs to be creative when building their squads. The league allows teams to spend more on designated players, but there are still strict rules designed to prevent wage bills from growing without control. In that context, keeping Messi salary figure within a specific structure is part of the financial strategy. His total earnings are much higher when outside income is included, with Forbes estimating that he earns around 110 million euros overall.
The contrast between Messi official MLS salary and his wider commercial income also shows why he is such a unique case. For Inter Miami, the value of having Messi is not limited to what he does on the pitch. He brings global attention, sells shirts, attracts sponsors, fills stadiums and raises the profile of the league internationally. His arrival changed the perception of MLS, and his salary reflects not only his sporting quality but also his enormous commercial influence.
Behind Messi, LAFC forward Heung-Min Son appears in second place with an annual salary of 9.6 million euros. That is a major figure by MLS standards and underlines the growing ability of the league to attract established international stars. Son remains one of the most recognisable Asian footballers of his generation, with a global following and a reputation built in European football. His presence in MLS adds another layer of prestige to a league that continues to chase more visibility outside the United States and Canada.
Rodrigo De Paul completes the top three with a salary of 8.3 million euros. The Argentine midfielder is both a teammate and international colleague of Messi, and his place near the top of the list reflects his status as a high-level player with major experience. De Paul brings intensity, leadership and technical quality, and his arrival in MLS was another sign that the league is no longer only looking for players at the end of their careers. It is also trying to attract footballers who can still perform at a strong competitive level.
Just outside the top three is Hirving Lozano, the former PSV winger, who earns 7.9 million euros per year. Lozano has long been a high-profile name in Mexican football and remains an important commercial and sporting figure. His salary shows how much MLS values players who can connect with large fan bases and bring excitement to the league. In his case, his pace, direct style and reputation from European football make him one of the most valuable attacking names in the competition.
The salary list becomes even more interesting when other famous names are compared with Messi. Thomas Müller earns 4.4 million euros per year, while Timo Werner receives 3.6 million euros. Together, their salaries reach 8 million euros, which means Messi earns roughly three times as much as Müller and Werner combined. That comparison says a lot about the special status Messi holds in MLS. Müller and Werner are both widely known in European football, but neither comes close to the financial level reserved for the Inter Miami star.
Müller, in particular, is a fascinating name on the list. The German attacker built a remarkable career at Bayern Munich and became one of the most intelligent and decorated players of his generation. His MLS salary is still very high by normal standards, but when placed next to Messi figure, it looks modest. That difference is not necessarily about football quality alone. It is also about global reach, marketing power and the unique impact Messi has wherever he plays.
Werner salary also reflects the way MLS clubs assess value. The German forward still carries a strong reputation because of his experience in the Bundesliga, Premier League and international football. A salary of 3.6 million euros places him among the league notable earners, but it also shows that not every European name receives superstar-level money. Clubs are becoming more selective, and salaries are increasingly tied to a mix of sporting need, market appeal and long-term planning.
The most surprising figure on the list may be Marco Reus. The German attacking midfielder reportedly earns only 768,000 euros per year, a number that looks remarkably low when compared with his profile and career. Reus spent many years as one of the most elegant and respected players in German football, becoming closely associated with Borussia Dortmund and earning admiration for his technique, creativity and loyalty.
At first glance, Reus salary appears unusually small for a player of his name and reputation. However, it is very possible that, like Messi, part of his income comes from sponsorship deals or external commercial agreements. MLS salary figures do not always capture the complete financial picture, especially when it comes to internationally recognised players who can generate income away from their club contract.
The release of these salary figures also highlights the different strategies being used across MLS. Some clubs are willing to spend huge amounts on one or two headline names, hoping those players can transform the sporting project and raise the profile of the team. Others prefer to spread their budget more evenly across the squad, investing in balance rather than one major superstar. This creates a league where salary gaps can be extreme, but also where squad-building decisions are closely watched.
Messi position at the top is not a surprise, but the scale of the gap remains striking. Even in a league that has welcomed more famous names in recent years, he continues to stand alone. His salary is not simply a reward for past achievements. It is also a reflection of what he still represents: one of the greatest footballers of all time, a global commercial machine and the central figure in the current MLS growth project.
For MLS, publishing these salaries creates debate, but it also reinforces the league commitment to transparency. Supporters can see where the money is going, compare the value of different signings and question whether their clubs are spending wisely. It also gives a clearer view of how much the league has changed. Not long ago, MLS was often seen as a destination for ageing stars taking a final step in their careers. Today, the salary list shows a more complex picture, with global icons, strong international players and ambitious clubs all trying to shape the future of the competition.
Inter Miami, naturally, remain at the centre of that discussion because of Messi. His presence has changed the club, changed the league and changed the way the world looks at football in the United States. The numbers only confirm what has already been visible since his arrival: MLS is investing heavily in star power, and no player represents that better than Messi.
Still, the figures also create pressure. When one player earns so much more than everyone else, expectations rise. Messi is not paid only to participate. He is expected to deliver titles, visibility, leadership and moments that justify the investment. The same applies, on a different scale, to Son, De Paul, Lozano, Müller and Werner. Big salaries bring attention, but they also bring responsibility.
The latest MLS salary list therefore tells a bigger story than just who earns the most. It shows the direction of the league, the financial weight of global stars and the growing ambition of clubs willing to compete for international attention. Messi remains the clear leader, far ahead of everyone else, while other major names continue to give the league greater credibility and appeal.
For now, the conclusion is simple: MLS has more star power than ever, but Lionel Messi remains the name above all others. His salary, his commercial impact and his influence on the league place him in a category that no other player in North America can currently match.
