Lionel Messi continues to be the highest paid player in Major League Soccer (MLS), according to the latest salary figures released by the players’ union.
The report shows that Messi earns an annual base salary of $25 million while his total guaranteed compensation reaches $28.3 million. This makes him by far the top earner in the league. He is earning more than double the salary of the next highest paid player.
Messi signed a contract extension with Inter Miami CF in October. This new deal will keep him at the Florida club until the 2028 MLS. According to Agence France Presse, Messi’s base salary has doubled under the new agreement. (AFP)
Moreover, the second highest paid player in MLS is Son Heung min, who joined Los Angeles FC after leaving Tottenham Hotspur F.C. He reportedly arrived in MLS through a record $26 million transfer deal. His base salary is listed at $10.36 million and his guaranteed compensation stands at $11.2 million.
However, these salary figures do not include endorsement income. In Messi’s case, the numbers also do not include his option to acquire ownership shares in Inter Miami, the club partly owned by David Beckham. According to AFP report, Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023.
Messi continues to perform at an elite level at 38 years old. He has scored 59 goals in 64 MLS regular matches for Miami. In the previous season he led the league with 29 goals and won the MLS Most Valuable Player award for the second consecutive year.
In other news, Messi is also expected to captain Argentina national football team in their FIFA World Cup title defence next month. (AFP)
Furthermore, other top earners in MLS include Rodrigo De Paul in third place on the list with $9.7 million in guaranteed compensation. Hirving Lozano is on fourth with $9.3 million despite not playing for San Diego FC since November and Miguel Almirón of Atlanta United FC in fifth place with $7.9 million.
In addition, the total league compensation across MLS has reached $631 million. Average guaranteed compensation per player now stands at $688,816. Its an 8.9% increase compared to figures released in October.
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