Lionel Messi Remains MLS Salary King As Playoffs Begin

As the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs begins Friday with Inter Miami in focus, Lionel Messi is still the highest-paid player in the league—and it’s not even close.

Messi’s total compensation from Inter Miami in 2024 is $20,446,667, according to the fall salary guide released by the MLS Players Association on Thursday. The second-highest-paid player is Toronto FC winger Lorenzo Insigne, who brings home $15.4 million, and no other player makes over $10 million.

Of course, Messi’s playing contract is only one part of the lucrative deal MLS used to lure the superstar to the U.S. He’s believed to be making closer to $150 million annually, when factoring in revenue sharing from league apparel partner Adidas and media-rights holder Apple. Messi is also set to receive equity in Inter Miami after retiring.

Here are the top 10 highest-paid players that were under contract as of Sept. 13, according to the MLSPA:

• $20.44 million: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami
• $15.4 million: Lorenzo Insigne, Toronto FC
• $8.77 million: Sergio Busquets, Inter Miami
• $6.72 million: Sebastián Driussi, Austin FC
• $6.29 million: Federico Bernardeschi, Toronto FC
• $6.03 million: Emil Forsberg, New York Red Bulls
• $5.24 million: Héctor Herrera, Houston Dynamo
• $5.21 million: Hany Mukhtar, Nashville SC
• $4.68 million: Christian Benteke, D.C. United
• $4.64 million: Ricard Puig Martí, LA Galaxy

The figures above are a player’s total compensation, which factors in a base salary and bonuses. Messi’s teammate Sergio Busquets is the only other Inter Miami player in the top 10. Toronto FC, which did not make the playoffs, also has two players in the top 10.