Lionel Messi not only shines on the field, he also does off it. According to official data released Wednesday by the MLS Players Association (MLSPA), the Inter Miami captain once again tops the list of the highest-paid players in MLS in 2025, with a guaranteed salary of $20.4 million. This amount places the Argentine star well above the rest of the players in the league, confirming his impact on both sporting and commercial American soccer. To watch all MLS games, subscribe to the MLS Season Pass here. Inter Miami dominates the top 10 salaries In second place is Italian Lorenzo Insigne of Toronto FC with $15.4 million, while in third place is another former Barcelona and Inter Miami player, Sergio Busquets, who earns $8.8 million. Inter Miami also has a third player in the top 10, Spanish defender Jordi Alba, who appears in eighth place with 6 million annually.

In addition to Messi, other international stars complete the list: Paraguayan Miguel Almiron (7.9 million), Mexican Hirving “Chucky” Lozano (7.6 million), and Swedish Emil Forsberg (6 million), among others.

Latin and European dominance in high salaries

The presence of figures from Europe and Latin America reflects the MLS’s focus on attracting international talent. This strategy, led by signings like Messi’s in 2023, continues to raise the global profile of the American league.

Below is the complete ranking of the highest-paid players in MLS in 2025: