Lionel Messi has more than doubled his base salary in his new contract with Inter Miami, solidifying his status as Major League Soccer’s highest-paid player by a staggering margin. According to figures released by the MLS Players Association, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s guaranteed base compensation now stands at $25 million, a significant increase from his previous deal. When factoring in all guaranteed compensation, his total package reaches approximately $28 million, a sum that more than doubles the earnings of the second-highest-paid player in the league, Los Angeles FC’s Olivier Giroud, who guarantees roughly $11 million.
The pay gap between Messi and the rest of the league’s elite is unprecedented, with no other player eclipsing even half of his total compensation. Inter Miami’s roster construction reflects this financial commitment, as the club has built around Messi’s superstardom while staying compliant with MLS’s complex salary budget rules. His teammate Sergio Busquets ranks among the league’s top earners, but even he falls far short of the Argentine’s figures. The new contract underscores Messi’s continued marketability and on-field impact since arriving in South Florida, where he has already driven ticket sales and global attention to unprecedented levels.
While the MLS Players Association data shows a handful of designated players earning between $5 million and $10 million, Messi’s $28 million total creates a clear hierarchy at the top of the league’s payroll. Toronto FC’s Lorenzo Insigne and Chicago Fire’s Xherdan Shaqiri are among those in the upper tier, yet their numbers are dwarfed by Messi’s. The new agreement, which runs through the 2025 season, confirms that Inter Miami views its captain as an irreplaceable centerpiece, both as a player and as a commercial force. With the World Cup and another MLS Cup run on the horizon, Messi’s compensation reflects his