Discover the Top-Earning Soccer Stars Lighting Up the League in 2025!
MLS’s Salary Explosion
From its modest — and occasionally oddball — origins in the 1990s, Major League Soccer has come a long way. Then, rules like the 35-yard shootout penalty added their own twist of American flair, and the average salary was about $41,000 per year. Fast forward to the present, and it’s a different story. The league has changed, new teams have appeared, and global stars — including many former Barcelona favorites — have transformed it along the way.
Now, the M.L.S. is no longer simply a retirement home for aging European stars. It is a business, a global entertainment product, and increasingly a destination for some of soccer’s highest-paid players. Below, we’ll detail which league players earn the most, and how MLS salaries have evolved over the years.
Highest Earning MLS Stars
- Lionel Messi
There’s MLS before Messi, and there’s MLS after Messi. His arrival at Inter Miami wasn’t just another signing—it was a cultural moment. Ticket sales exploded, viewership surged, and suddenly, the league mattered on a global scale. Hollywood celebrities and chart-topping musicians now line the stands, drawn by the presence of one of soccer’s all-time greats.
And yes, the “Messi effect” even tilts MLS betting odds, with Inter Miami often stepping onto the pitch as favorites simply because of his name.
In return, the Argentine forward earns a league-topping $20.45 million in guaranteed compensation, which includes a $12 million base salary and bonuses tied to marketing. It’s a far cry from the $70+ million he used to make at Barcelona, but the deals he’s made off the field—revenue-sharing with Apple, and long-term endorsement deals with Adidas—keep his earnings at elite levels.
- Lorenzo Insigne
Toronto’s Italian magician may fly under the radar compared to Messi, but his paycheck speaks volumes. Insigne is agile, technical, and ruthless in tight spaces—qualities that have made him one of the league’s most dangerous players in possession. He earns $15.44 million, placing him firmly among the highest MLS salaries.
- Sergio Busquets
Another familiar name from Barça’s golden era, Busquets, joined Inter Miami shortly after Messi. His role is quieter, but no less vital. He doesn’t dazzle with flashy footwork—he dissects games with intelligence and positioning. After earning just $1.5 million in his debut season, he now pockets $8.5 million, placing him among the soccer’s highest-paid players in North America.
- Miguel Almirón
Atlanta United’s relationship with Almirón has come full circle. The Paraguayan playmaker lit up the MLS from 2017 to 2019 before moving to the Premier League. Now back in Atlanta, he earns $7.87 million, making him one of the highest-earning MLS stars. His return adds depth and star power to a team still chasing another championship.
- Hirving «Chucky» Lozano
San Diego FC made headlines in 2024 when they signed Hirving Lozano, one of Mexico’s brightest talents. With stints at Pachuca, PSV, and Napoli under his belt, Lozano brings experience, speed, and goal-scoring instinct to MLS. He earns $7.63 million, making him the highest-paid player on his team—and a marquee face for the league’s westward expansion.
Has the List of Highest-Paid MLS Players Changed Over the Years?
Player salaries in the MLS haven’t always made headlines. In fact, before 2007, the idea of a multi-million-dollar contract was unthinkable. That changed when David Beckham signed with the LA Galaxy. He took a pay cut from his Real Madrid days, but structured a deal that ultimately earned him close to $50 million annually, thanks to revenue sharing and endorsements.
Since then, MLS has steadily raised the financial stakes to lure elite talent. Players like Luis Suárez, Olivier Giroud, and others from top European clubs are being drawn not only by competitive wages but by the lifestyle and growth potential of soccer in the U.S.
Do the Highest-Paid MLS Players Always Perform the Best?
Big salaries bring big expectations. And so far, most of the highest-paid MLS players have delivered. Messi is still mesmerizing. Busquets adds calm to the chaos. Lozano is quickly becoming the face of a new franchise. These are not vanity signings—they’re building blocks for real sporting ambition.
And while Inter Miami has yet to win an M.L.S. Cup, the Barça triumvirate of Messi, Busquets, and Suárez has made it a contender. And whether you are a fan or a blowhard, it is only a matter of time before that investment translates into silverware.
The era of underpaid MLS hopefuls is fading fast. The league is growing up — and its payroll with it. Whether you’re tuning in to witness goal after jaw-dropping goal, to keep tabs on the MLS betting odds, or to simply wonder who’s coming out ahead in the money game, one thing’s for sure: Major League Soccer is no longer the little league that could. It’s here, it’s serious, and it’s willing to pay for greatness.