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May 13, 2026
Analyzed by Llama- 4 Scout 17B 16E Instruct

Messi Tops MLS Earnings Again at $28.3m, Doubling Son's Salary

AI Summary
Lionel Messi remains the top earner in MLS with a $28.3m salary, more than double Son Heung-min's $11.2m. The MLS Players Association's latest salary data reveals team spending and player earnings across the league.

The League's Highest Earner

Lionel Messi is receiving $28.3m in his fourth season with Inter Miami, making him the top earner in MLS once again. This figure does not include additional amounts earned via Apple streaming subscriptions or jersey sales through Adidas and Fanatics.

Comparing Top Earners

Son Heung-min ranks second, with Los Angeles FC paying the Tottenham icon $11.2m, while Rodrigo De Paul joins Messi on the podium with a $9.7m income. The significant gap between Messi's earnings and the rest of the league highlights the substantial investment Inter Miami has made in his talent.

The Data Analysis

  • Messi's salary: $28.3m
  • Son Heung-min's salary: $11.2m
  • Rodrigo De Paul's salary: $9.7m

The Impact Analysis

Messi's new contract keeps him at an unprecedented rate of income. Only one team spends more across its entire roster than Miami pays Messi alone. This significant disparity underscores the competitive imbalance in MLS, where top players like Messi command salaries that rival or exceed the total budgets of several teams.

The Prediction

As MLS continues to grow and attract top talent, the gap between the highest earners and the rest of the league may widen. Teams will need to strategically manage their rosters and finances to remain competitive, potentially leading to more significant investments in player development and team infrastructure.