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Messi Tops MLS Pay; Inter Miami Leads Wage Bill
14 May
Summary
- Lionel Messi is MLS's highest earner at $28.3 million annually.
- Inter Miami boasts the league's largest total wage bill at $54.6 million.
- Messi's total earnings, including incentives, could reach $70-80 million.
New figures released by the MLS Players Association (MLSPA) confirm Lionel Messi as the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer for 2026, with annual earnings of $28.3 million. His Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul also features in the top three earners. Inter Miami's overall wage bill of $54.6 million is the largest in the league, far exceeding other clubs like LAFC.
Conversely, teams like the Philadelphia Union and Sporting Kansas City operate with significantly smaller budgets, around $11.7 million and $12.4 million respectively. These thrifty teams currently sit at the bottom of their respective conferences.
Messi's contract with Inter Miami includes various incentives, bonuses, and future equity, contributing to an estimated total annual income of $70-80 million. This figure does not account for additional commercial and sponsorship opportunities arising from his move to the United States. The MLSPA data provides insight into team spending on playing staff within the league's financial controls, though it doesn't capture the full earnings of globally prominent players like Messi.
