Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi is the highest-paid MLS player, with guaranteed league-record annual compensation of $20.4 million, the MLS Players Association announced Wednesday.
That figure only includes Messi’s salary. Earlier this year, Miami co-owner Jorge Mas revealed to Spanish outlet El País that Messi’s total compensation, including a cut from the league’s deal with Apple TV, was between $50 million and $60 million.
Messi’s mid-season arrival, along with teammates Sergio Busquets ($1.775 million) and Jordi Alba ($1.25 million), vaulted Heron to the top of the MLS team salary rankings, with total guaranteed compensation of $39.419 million.
That’s more than double the $18.88 million the team spent last year.
Messi’s guaranteed salary is the highest in MLS history, beating out Toronto FC’s Lorenzo Insigne, who was second on Wednesday’s list at $15.4 million.
Chicago Fire’s Xherdan Shaqiri ($8.15 million), LA Galaxy’s Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez ($7.44 million) and Toronto’s Federico Bernardeschi ($6.3 million) round out the top five.
All data as of September 15, 2023. Salary data is annualized for players like Messi who joined the league during the summer transfer window.
Messi’s arrival helped push the average guaranteed base compensation for the entire MLS player pool to $543,207, up 5.5% from the September 2022 figure of $514,729.
Player salaries at the bottom of the pay scale continue to increase, as the league’s median base compensation guarantee is $282,125, up 13.4% from the September 2022 figure of $248,688.
MLS and the MLSPA are in the third year of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) agreed to in February 2021.
The CBA currently runs through the end of the 2027 season.
In terms of team payroll based on guaranteed base compensation, Toronto FC ranked second behind Miami at $32.293 million, followed by the LA Galaxy ($25.039 million), defending MLS Cup champions LAFC ($20.841 million) and the Chicago Fire ($20.416 million)
Orlando City has the lowest payroll at $9.643 million followed by CF Montreal ($10.92 million), St. Louis’ expansion team. Louis City ($11.187 million), New York Red Bulls ($11.331 million) and Philadelphia Union ($13.291 million).
FC Cincinnati , recently crowned the Supporters’ Shield winner, finished in 21st place with total guaranteed compensation of $14.349 million.
Based on the current MLS standings heading into Decision Day, the three highest-spending teams, Miami, Toronto and Galaxy, will all miss the playoffs.
Austin FC, which ranked sixth with $19.166 million, was another team among the top 10 spenders to skip the postseason.
