Lionel Messi’s contract with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) was originally set to expire at the end of the 2025 season. However, the Argentine superstar has renewed his contract for an additional three years. As expected, Messi will continue to earn the highest annual salary. Including his base salary and signing bonus, he will earn $20.45 million per year, approximately 25.43 crore 23 lakh 23 thousand Bangladeshi Taka.
The MLS Players Association (MLSPA) has released the list of player salaries for the 2025 season. South Korean star Son Heung-min, who moved from Tottenham to Los Angeles FC, is second on the list, with an annual salary of $11.15 million, about 13.65 crore 43 lakh 37 thousand Taka. Two of the top three players are from Inter Miami—Messi and Sergio Busquets. Busquets’ salary is $8.78 million, approximately 10.75 crore 6 thousand Taka.
However, Spanish legend Busquets has announced he will retire at the end of the current season. Former Barcelona defender Jordi Alba, also playing for Miami, is among the top ten and will retire after the MLS season as well. Notably, Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, who joined Miami from Atlético Madrid, is not in the top ten. The other two players in the top five are Miguel Almirón of Atlanta United and Hirving Lozano of San Diego FC.
Top MLS salaries (in USD):
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) — 20.45 million
Son Heung-min (Los Angeles) — 11.15 million
Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami) — 8.78 million
Miguel Almirón (Atlanta) — 7.87 million
Hirving Lozano (San Diego) — 7.63 million
Emil Forsberg (New York Red Bulls) — 6.04 million
Jordi Alba (Inter Miami) — 6 million
Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy) — 5.78 million
Jonathan Bamba (Chicago) — 5.58 million
Hany Mukhtar (Nashville) — 5.31 million
Among players who joined MLS in the most recent summer transfers, only Son earns above $10 million. Inter Miami star Rodrigo De Paul earns $3.67 million, roughly 45 crore Taka. Similarly, former German and Bayern Munich star Thomas Müller, now with Vancouver Whitecaps, earns $1.44 million, about 17.64 crore Taka.
In terms of team payroll, Inter Miami spends the most on player salaries, totaling $48.78 million. Other teams’ expenditures include Los Angeles ($30.1 million), Atlanta ($28.5 million), FC Cincinnati ($23.2 million), and Chicago Fire ($23.2 million).