In 2025, top 5 highest paid players MLS 2025 is more than just a ranking—it reflects how Major League Soccer has transformed into a destination where global stars still earn mega-contracts. Below, KottuGoal takes you through who’s cashing in at the top, how much they make, and what it means for the league.
Who Are The Highest Paid Players
Here are the top 5 highest paid MLS players in 2025, ranked by guaranteed compensation as released by the MLS Players Association.
| Rank | Player | Club | Guaranteed Compensation (2025) | Notes |
| 1 | Lionel Messi | Inter Miami | $20,446,667 | The unsurpassed top earner—salary plus bonuses, marketing compensation, etc. |
| 2 | Lorenzo Insigne | Toronto FC | $15,400,000 | Before his mid-season contract termination. C 6 South Florida) |
| 3 | Sergio Busquets | Inter Miami | $8,774,996 | Veteran midfielder still drawing big wages. |
| 4 | Miguel Almirón | Atlanta United | $7,871,000 | A return to MLS has placed him among elite earners. |
| 5 | Hirving “Chucky” Lozano | San Diego FC | $7,633,333 | Impressive pay for a player joining an expansion side. |
Note: “Guaranteed compensation” includes base salary, bonuses, and certain guaranteed contract elements. Some contract changes and terminations (like Insigne’s) affect rankings over the season.
Why These Salaries Matter
Understanding the paychecks helps illustrate bigger trends in MLS:
- Star power still drives value. Messi and Busquets show MLS isn’t just paying lip service to marquee names; it’s investing heavily in them. Their contracts still dwarf many others in the league.
- The gap between top and median is massive. Many players make under a million; big names make multiples of that. That disparity prompts debates about salary caps, Designated Player rules, and roster balance.
- International returnees and expansion clubs willing to pay premium. Miguel Almirón’s return, Lozano’s shift to San Diego—shows clubs are ready to spend to boost competitiveness and visibility.
How They Compare: Base Salary vs Full Cash
To get a better picture, it helps to distinguish base salary from guaranteed or full compensation (which may include bonuses, endorsements tied to the club, and other incentives). Here are examples for our top 5:
- Lionel Messi: Base salary ≈ $12,000,000, but total guaranteed compensation including non-salary earnings boosts that to over $20.4 million.
- Lorenzo Insigne: His big number comes mostly from base pay plus contract guarantees—but since his contract was terminated partway through the season, his full-season guarantee is complex.
- Busquets, Almirón, Lozano: All have base salaries significantly lower than their total cash guarantees, thanks to bonuses and other guaranteed clauses. These contribute meaningfully to make them top-5.
Broader MLS Context: Trends and Implications
Salary Inflation Is Real
While MLS has had notable designated players for years, 2025’s numbers show shar. Messi is pulling in over $20 million—a figure that would’ve been almost unimaginable in MLS a decade ago. The trend is pushing clubs to find new revenue streams: sponsorships, partnerships, media rights.
Roster and cap rules under pressure
MLS has rules like the Designated Player rule and allocation money designed to balance competitiveness. But when one or two players hog a huge chunk of payroll, it forces other clubs to make difficult trade-offs (e.g., paying fewer star names, investing in youth, or being more strategic with bonuses).
Performance expectation rises
Big money comes with big eyes watching. Players like Almirón, Insigne, Lozano aren’t just big names—they’re expected to deliver on the field: goals, assists, leadership. Fans expect more bang for the buck.
Contract stability and mid-season shifts
Insigne’s departure mid-season and evolving contracts show that even top earners aren’t immune to shifts. Injuries, performance, fit with club all matter—even when the paycheck is huge.
What Might Change Before Year’s End
- Contract renegotiations, transfers, or extensions could shuffle the order.
- Injuries could reduce appearance bonuses or cause clubs to adjust expectations.
- Expansion teams or clubs with rising revenue might sign high wage players, pushing someone new into the top 5.
Conclusion
The top 5 highest paid players MLS 2025 illuminate how far Major League Soccer has come—and how much more it wants to grow. Players like Lionel Messi aren’t just names; they’re benchmarks for what stars can expect. Meanwhile, others—Almirón, Lozano, Busquets—reflect the rising tide in the league’s financial ambition.
For fans, analysts, and stakeholders, this list tells two things: MLS is serious about competing, and the stakes are higher than ever.
If you enjoyed this breakdown, keep following KottuGoal for fresh insights on salaries, transfers, and the stories behind the stars. Want to see where other big names rank—say top-10 or position by position? Let me know, and I’ll dig into the numbers.
