Lionel Messi’s Huge Inter Miami Salary Revealed as 2026 MLS Wage Figures Go Public
- Gerald Lim
- May 13
- 2 min read
Lionel Messi continues to dominate Major League Soccer both on and off the pitch, with newly released 2026 salary figures confirming the Inter Miami superstar is comfortably the league’s highest-paid player.
According to the latest MLS Players Association wage report, Messi is earning a staggering $28.3 million during the 2026 campaign — more than double the salary of the league’s next-biggest earner.
That second spot belongs to Son Heung-min of Los Angeles FC, who reportedly earns $11.1 million annually. No other MLS player currently breaks the $10 million barrier.
Inter Miami’s Star-Studded Spending Continues
Inter Miami CF have built one of the most expensive squads in league history around Messi, with the club’s total payroll reportedly reaching $54.6 million — comfortably the highest in MLS.
Several big-name teammates are also earning significant salaries, including:
Rodrigo De Paul
Sergio Reguilón
Germán Berterame
Facundo Mura
Tadeo Allende
The aggressive investment strategy already delivered major success last season, with Inter Miami capturing their first-ever MLS Cup title. The club once again looks like a genuine contender in 2026, currently sitting near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Messi himself remains central to that push. Despite turning 38 this year, the Argentine icon has already produced nine goals and four assists in just 12 league appearances.
Messi’s Real Earnings Are Even Higher
The official MLS salary figures only tell part of the story.
Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas previously revealed that Messi’s total yearly earnings could actually fall between $70 million and $80 million once commercial agreements and partnership bonuses are included.
A major portion reportedly comes from Messi’s unique revenue-sharing arrangement tied to Apple Inc. and MLS broadcasting rights, alongside global sponsorship deals linked to his arrival in the United States.
That agreement transformed Messi’s move into more than just a football transfer — it became one of the most commercially ambitious partnerships in sports history.
MLS Still Searching for Long-Term Growth
While Messi’s arrival undeniably boosted global attention toward MLS, questions remain about how much impact one superstar can realistically have on the league’s long-term growth.
Interest surrounding Inter Miami exploded after his signing, but reports suggest MLS and Apple later revised their media partnership earlier than expected amid concerns surrounding subscription performance for the MLS Season Pass platform.
Even with one of football’s greatest-ever players leading the charge, turning MLS into a globally dominant competition remains a difficult task.
Still, on the field, Messi continues proving his value every single week.
And financially, nobody in American soccer comes remotely close.
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