Lionel Messi remains the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer for 2025, with Son Heung-Min and Sergio Busquets following closely behind.
The MLS Players Association has released its annual salary report for 2025, according to Goal, confirming that Lionel Messi continues to top the list of the league’s highest-paid players. The Inter Miami star leads with a guaranteed compensation of $20.45 million, marking his third consecutive year as MLS’s best-paid player.
Close behind is Son Heung-Min of LAFC, earning $11.15 million, while Sergio Busquets—Messi’s Inter Miami teammate—sits third with $8.78 million. The top five also features Miguel Almiron of Atlanta United ($7.87M) and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano of San Diego FC ($7.63M).
Top 10 highest-paid MLS players in 2025:
1. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) – $20.45M
2. Son Heung-Min (LAFC) – $11.15M
3. Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami) – $8.78M
4. Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United) – $7.87M
5. Hirving Lozano (San Diego FC) – $7.63M
6. Emil Forsberg (RBNY) – $6.04M
7. Jordi Alba (Inter Miami) – $6.00M
8. Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy) – $5.78M
9. Jonathan Bamba (Chicago) – $5.58M
10. Hany Mukhtar (Nashville) – $5.31M
Inter Miami also lead all MLS clubs in total payroll, spending $48.97 million, nearly $19 million more than second-placed LAFC. The Herons could have additional room for reinforcements next season, with Busquets and Jordi Alba expected to retire—removing about $14.78 million from their books.
Reports suggest other MLS clubs have raised concerns over Miami’s flexibility under the league’s salary cap rules.