Thanks in large part to Messi, Inter Miami now boasts the league's highest payroll at $46.8 million. That's nearly double every team except two: 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:

Lionel Messi is the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer for the third straight year with total annual compensation of $20.4 million, greater than the entire payroll of 21 teams.