Highest-paid MLS players in 2025: Where does Lionel Messi and Riqui Puig rank
There are increasingly many global football stars flocking to Major League Soccer (MLS) as they can demand very high wages. Lionel Messi and Riqui Puig are the top two highest-paid players at the club in 2025, along with other players like Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.
This is a testament to the players' playing ability and global market appeal.
Lionel Messi tops the MLS salary chart
Lionel Messi, of Inter Miami, is the top earner in the M.L.S with a guaranteed compensation of $20.4 million for the 2025 season. That includes a base of $12 million, plus marketing bonuses and agent fees. Not only would Messi's salary be the highest in MLS history, but it would also exceed the total payrolls of 22 other MLS teams.
In addition to his club salary, Messi's overall income includes endorsement deals and a revenue-sharing pact with Apple TV; annually, he will earn roughly $60 million playing soccer and an estimated $75 million from endorsements.
His contract with Inter Miami is valid until December 2025, an extension is currently being negotiated.
Riqui Puig secures a top spot among MLS midfielders
LA Galaxy hotshot midfielder Riqui Puig has solidified his status as one of the top earners in MLS. Puig earns a guaranteed salary of $4 million in 2025, as he is one of the highest-paid midfielders in MLS. Overall, this extension is a testament to his belief in our club and the operation we have in place here in LA. The move to sign a new contract with the LA Galaxy before the 2025 season is a testament to his investment in both our club and the league.
There is no question that Puig is making an impact on the field, which also can't be overlooked on the field in LA's strong Western Conference performance. His technical acumen and vision have been instrumental in whatever the team plans on doing, and he is paid the amount he deserves to be paid by the club.
Top 10 highest-paid MLS players in 2025
The MLS Players Association (MLSPA) recently released the 2025 salary guide, revealing the top earners across the league. Here's a breakdown of the highest-paid players this season:
1. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) – $20.4 million
2. Lorenzo Insigne (Toronto FC) – $15.4 million
3. Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami) – $8.77 million
4. Sebastián Driussi (Austin FC) – $6.72 million
5. Federico Bernardeschi (Toronto FC) – $6.3 million
6. Héctor Herrera (Houston Dynamo) – $5.2 million
7. Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC) – $5.2 million
8. Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy) – $4 million
9. Emil Forsberg (New York Red Bulls) – $4 million
10. Christian Benteke (D.C. United) – $4 million
These amounts are for guaranteed pay, which includes base salary and all bonuses and marketing deals for the year.
An increasing number of multi-million dollar contracts shows that MLS is better able than ever to compete for talent with leagues in Europe and elsewhere in the world.
Also Read:
How J League's grassroots strategy offers a blueprint for Major League Soccer's growth
As MLS develops exponentially and grows globally, improving its standing and financial clout, the league's ability to court and reel in players of Messi's and Puig's calibre reflects the changing face of the top tier of US pro sports. Such players don't just improve the standard of football, they enhance the worldwide reach and commercial success of the league.
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