26 June 2025
Argentine legend Lionel Messi continues to lead the list of highest-paid players in Major League Soccer for 2025, far ahead of his nearest rivals, according to the newly released annual salary report. The Inter Miami captain earns $20.4 million annually, more than $5 million ahead of second-placed Italian Lorenzo Insigne, the Toronto FC star, who earns $15.4 million.
List of the 10 highest-paid players in MLS in 2025:
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami): $20,446,667
Lorenzo Insigne (Toronto FC): $15,400,000
Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami): $8,774,996
Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United): $7,871,000
Chucky Lozano (San Diego FC): $7,633,333
Federico Bernardeschi (Toronto FC): $6,295,381
Emil Forsberg (New York Red Bulls): $6,035,625
Jordi Alba (Inter Miami): $6,000,000
Rqui Puig (Los Angeles Galaxy): $5,779,688
Jonathan Bamba (Chicago) (Fire): $5,581,806
These rising salaries reflect the significant shift in the economic power of the American league, which has become capable of attracting top stars with salaries that rival those in Europe.
These stars, led by Messi, are expected to perform at a level commensurate with these huge salaries. "La Pulga" has already succeeded in leading Inter Miami to the round of 16 of the 2025 Club World Cup, where he awaits a fiery confrontation with his former club, Paris Saint-Germain, the European champions.
