Lionel Messi has more than doubled his Major League Soccer base salary to $25 million under his new contract with Inter Miami, according to figures released by the MLS Players Association. The Argentina superstar’s total compensation, which includes guaranteed bonuses and other payments, now sits at $28 million for the 2024 season. That figure is more than double the earnings of any other player in the league, with Los Angeles FC’s Son Heung-min ranking second at a total compensation package significantly behind Messi’s.
The staggering salary gap underscores the transformative impact Messi has had on MLS since his arrival last summer. His presence has driven record attendance figures, global media attention, and a surge in merchandise sales across the league. While Inter Miami has not disclosed the full structure of the contract, the reported numbers confirm that Messi’s total pay dwarfs not only his previous MLS salary but also the entire salary budgets of some other clubs. The league allows teams to sign up to three Designated Players, whose wages are only partially counted against the salary cap, enabling Miami to accommodate the historic deal.
For context, Messi’s base salary of $25 million alone eclipses the combined total of most MLS rosters. The second-highest earner, Son Heung-min, commands a fraction of that sum, highlighting the league’s growing stratification between its global icons and the rest of the player pool. With Messi leading Inter Miami to a Supporters’ Shield and a strong playoff push, this contract extension cements his status as not just the best player in league history but its highest-paid employee by an enormous margin.