October 30 – LAFC’s Son Heung-Min has joined Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi as the only MLS player earning more than $10 million annually, according to salary data released Wednesday by the MLS Players Association.
Son, who recently joined the LA club, has guaranteed compensation of $11.2 million. Not surprisingly, Messi remains the league’s highest-paid player at $20.4 million.
The figures reflect guaranteed salary, including marketing bonuses and agent fees, but exclude performance incentives and external commercial deals, of which both Messi and Son have many. Messi’s overall earnings are significantly higher due to endorsement partnerships with Adidas and a revenue-sharing agreement with Apple.
According to Sportico, Messi could earn as much as $150 million over the course of his contract, which was recently extended through 2028. Son’s LAFC contract runs through 2027 with options to extend to 2029.
Inter Miami leads all MLS clubs in total spending at $48.97 million, more than double 27 of the league’s remaining 29 teams.
In team payroll based on guaranteed compensation, LAFC ranks second behind Miami at $30.1 million, followed by Atlanta United ($28.48 million), FC Cincinnati ($23.19 million), and the Chicago Fire ($23.11 million).
MLS average team spending rose 7% year-over-year to $19.69 million. The league’s current collective bargaining agreement runs through 2027.
Total spend per team:
- Inter Miami – $48.97 million
- LAFC – $30.1 million
- Atlanta United – $28.48 million
- FC Cincinnati – $23.19 million
- Chicago Fire – $23.11 million
- Nashville SC – $22.44 million
- Portland Timbers – $22.44 million
- LA Galaxy – $22.26 million
- San Diego FC – $22.25 million
- New York Red Bulls – $22.07 million
- Columbus Crew – $19.22 million
- New England Revolution – $19.11 million
- Charlotte FC – $19.02 million
- New York City FC – $18.84 million
- Seattle Sounders – $18.25 million
- Vancouver Whitecaps – $17.77 million
- Sporting Kansas City – $17.61 million
- San Jose Earthquakes – $17.08 million
- St. Louis City SC – $16.93 million
- Houston Dynamo – $16.77 million
- Orlando City – $16.11 million
- Austin FC – $15.68 million
- Real Salt Lake – $15.66 million
- DC United – $14.92 million
- Colorado Rapids – $14.63 million
- Minnesota United – $14.54 million
- Toronto FC – $13.65 million
- Philadelphia Union – $13.43 million
- FC Dallas – $13.15 million
- CF Montreal – $12.92 million