In 2026, Lionel Andrés Messi commands a salary that dwarfs the earnings of nearly every Major League Soccer team. According to the latest salary guide released by the Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA), Messi’s guaranteed annual compensation stands at an astounding $28,333,333, setting him far apart as the highest-paid player in the league.
This sum includes his base salary of $25 million, along with guaranteed bonuses, marketing incentives, and agent fees, all annualized across the length of his contract. Notably, this figure excludes any performance-related bonuses or separate agreements Messi may have secured with the club or its affiliates.
Surpassing Entire Team Payrolls
To grasp the magnitude of Messi’s earnings, consider this: his guaranteed compensation alone exceeds the combined salaries of every player on 28 out of the 30 MLS teams. In other words, the Argentine star’s paycheck is larger than the entire payroll of the vast majority of the league’s rosters.
This vast financial gap underlines Messi’s unique status in Major League Soccer, where his contract not only elevates his personal standing but also reshapes the salary landscape of the sport in North America.