The MLS Players Association has released its latest salary data, revealing that Lionel Messi remains the league's highest-paid player by a significant margin. The Inter Miami star earns $28.3 million in his fourth season, more than double the second-highest earner, Son Heung-min, who receives $11.2 million from Los Angeles FC. Rodrigo De Paul completes the top three with a $9.7 million salary.
Top earners and team spending
Messi's new contract keeps him at an unprecedented rate, with only one team (LAFC) spending more across its entire roster than Miami pays Messi alone. The data shows that the two lowest wage bills belong to Sporting Kansas City ($12.4 million) and the Philadelphia Union ($11.7 million), both of which are struggling in their respective conferences.
San Diego's Lozano situation
San Diego FC's first year has been largely positive, but the salary figures highlight a bind regarding Hirving Lozano. The 30-year-old is guaranteed $9.3 million this year without playing a minute, after being benched for behavioral reasons. Sporting director Tyler Heaps stated Lozano would not play again, but the public comment has weakened their negotiating position. Lozano's deal runs through 2028.
New arrivals and raises
The salary drop reveals data about new players, including Thomas Müller's full salary of $5.2 million for the tail end of 2025. Timo Werner leads San Jose with $4.3 million, while Josh Sargent earns $5.3 million with Toronto FC. Other highly paid newcomers include Facundo Torres ($4.4 million), Germán Berterame ($3.8 million), Mateusz Bogusz ($2.5 million), and Morgan Guilavogui ($2.2 million).
James Rodríguez signed a team-friendly half-year deal with Minnesota, checking in at an annualized $684,000. Paul Rothrock earned a raise to $525,000 after free agency. Cristian Espinoza takes home $2.3 million with Nashville, while Robin Lod signed with Chicago for $866,667. DC United added Tai Baribo ($2.4 million) and Louis Munteanu ($1.6 million) as top earners.
Opulent XI and total outlay
The most expensive MLS team, lined up in a 4-2-3-1, nets a combined $74,345,334, largely carried by Messi's wages. For reference, Burnley's Premier League ledger is projected at $75.1 million. Unsurprisingly, Miami commits 76.7% of its wage bill to its top three earners, while Philadelphia has the lowest commitment at 23.4%.
LAFC has the highest median salary of any MLS team. The data also tracks changes in team spending: San Jose Earthquakes saw the biggest increase (+42.6%), while Sporting Kansas City had the largest decrease (-29.8%).
Budget XI and underperformers
A team of players earning a combined $2,013,188 can be assembled, including youngsters and veteran Maxi Moralez. Conversely, some players are underperforming relative to their wages, such as Miles Robinson ($3.95 million) and Roman Bürki ($2.75 million). Hirving Lozano ($9.33 million) also features on the underperformers list.
