Two years after joining Inter Miami, Lionel Messi's salary continues to overwhelm everyone else in MLS. Per financial details from the MLS Players Association obtained by The Athletic's Jeff Reuter, the 38-year-old's guaranteed salary from the Herons is $20.4 million.

Messi's Inter Miami topped the league with a record $46.8 million payroll as of May 23, up from $41.7 million at the end of last season. Miami's payroll was double that of all teams other than Toronto ($34.1 million) and Atlanta ($27.6 million).

In 2025, Messi is the highest-paid player with a guaranteed compensation of $20.4 million, per the MLS Players Association. Along with Messi, here's a look at the highest-paid MLS players in 2025 in terms of guaranteed compensation: