By EFE
The Argentinian Lionel MessiInter Miami player, remains the highest-paid player in the MLS, with a salary of $28.3 million guaranteed in 2026while the Colombian James Rodríguez, of Minnesota United, does not enter the top 250 salaries.
The salaries of Messi, Rodríguez and the rest of the footballers in the North American league were revealed on Tuesday by the MLS Players Union (MLSPA)and as happened last season, the Argentine ’10’ is still widely at the head of the list.
The list revealed that Rodríguez, the Minnesota club’s brand new signing last February, signed a contract until June in exchange for $684,000 dollars to prepare for the 2026 World Cup.
🤯⚠️ MLS reported the 10 BEST SALARIES in its league in 2026:
1) 🇦🇷 Lionel Messi – USD 28.3M.
2) 🇰🇷 Heung-min Son – USD 11.2M.
3) 🇦🇷 Rodrigo De Paul – USD 9.7M.4) 🇲🇽 Hirving Lozano – USD 9.3M.
5) 🇵🇾 Miguel Almirón – USD 7.9M.
6) 🇸🇪 Emil Forsberg – USD 6M.
7) 🏴 Sam Surridge… pic.twitter.com/xaIxc3RMpZ— Ataque Futbolero (@AtaqueFutbolero) May 12, 2026
However, its performance has not been as expected, and The Colombian playmaker has barely participated in five MLS games – one as a starter – and two in the US Open Cup, in which he has two assists and no goals scored.
Minnesota United has an option to extend the contract until December 2026, although the club has not yet confirmed whether it will execute it.
The second highest paid player in the league is the South Korean Heung-min Son, from LAFC, with $11.2 million dollars insured, followed by another Argentine from Inter Miami, Rodrigo De Paul, whose salary amounts to $9.7 million.
The ‘high 5’ is closed by the Mexican Hirving Lozano (San Diego FC) and the paraguayan Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United)who will receive this season $9.3 million and $7.9, respectively.
“CHUCKY” IS WORTH GOLD IN THE MLS!💵
Despite the controversy and not adding minutes with San Diego FC, Hirving Lozano remains the fourth highest paid player in the entire league🏟️
Only figures like Messi, Son and De Paul exceed the Mexican’s salary📈💰
👉🏼 https://t.co/09D1hBZimW pic.twitter.com/LYdErhl3Kw
— Esto en Línea (@estoenlinea) May perchance perchance well 12, 2026
By team, Inter Miami is by far the one that spends the largest amount, distributing $54.6 million dollars in salaries among all his players, followed by the LAFC, with $32.7 million. He Philadelphia Union close the list with $11.7 million guaranteed in 2026.
Keep reading:
– Javier Mascherano leaves the Inter Miami bench
– Germán Berterame would no longer fit the Inter Miami model
– Lionel Messi sent great praise to Lamine Yamal
– Scolari explains that Cristiano Ronaldo is not a star like Messi or Ronaldinho
