Messi still leads the list of highest paid in MLS
Inter Miami has two of the three highest paid players in the entire MLS. Messi leads the list. James Rodríguez does not enter in the top 250
The Argentine Lionel Messi, player for Inter Miami, remains the highest paid player in MLS, with a salary of $28.3 million dollars guaranteed in 2026, while the Colombian James Rodríguez, of Minnesota United, does not enter among the 250 highest salaries.
The salaries of Messi, Rodríguez and the rest of the footballers in the North American league were revealed on Tuesday by the Union Of Players of the MLS (MLSPA), and as happened last season, the '10' Argentine is widely at the head of the list.
The list revealed that Rodríguez, new signing from the Minnesota club last February, signed a contract until June in exchange for $684,000 dollars to prepare for the 2026 World Cup.
However, his performance has not been as expected, and the Colombian player has barely participated in five games. os of the MLS -one as a starter- and in two of the U.S. Open Cup, in which he has two assists and no goals scored.
Minnesota United has an option to extend the link until December 2026, although the club has not yet confirmed whether it will execute it.
The second highest paid player in the league is the South Korean Heung-min Son, from LAFC, with $11.2 million dollars insured, followed by another Argentine from Inter Miami, Rodrigo De Paul, whose salary amounts to $9.7 million.
The 'top 5' is closed by the Mexican Hirving Lozano (San Diego FC) and the Paraguayan Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United), who will perceive this season $9.3 million and $7.9, respectively.
By teams, Inter Miami is by far the that disburses a largest amount, distributing $54.6 million dollars in salaries among everyone s their players, followed by LAFC, with $32.7 million. Philadelphia Union closes the list with $11.7 million guaranteed in 2026.