Inter Miami‘s Lionel Messi of Argentina remains the highest paid player in MLS, with a salary of $28.3 million guaranteed for the 2026 season, which exceeds the entire payroll of Cincinnati, the team he faces tonight.
The salary of the Argentine ’10’ and the rest of the players of the North American league were revealed by the MLS Players’ Union (MLSPA), in a list that also details the salary that the Colombian James Rodriguez receives for his brief stint at Minnesota United. The Colombian playmaker, who was the Minnesota club’s newest signing last February, signed a contract until June in exchange for $684,000 to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, a figure that places him outside the league’s 250 highest-paid players.
James Rodriguez does not take off in MLS
However, its performance has not been as expected.
James Rodriguez has made just five MLS appearances – one as a starter – and two in the U.S. Open Cup.
In which he has two assists, but has not scored goals.
Minnesota United has an option to extend the tie-up through December 2026.
Although the club has not yet confirmed whether it will execute it and, according to U.S. league sources, the Colombian will say goodbye to the team after Wednesday’s game against the Colorado Rapids.
This to start preparing for the World Cup (Filed under: Messi salary MLS 2026).
Inter Miami breaks the market
The second-highest paid player in the league is South Korea’s Heung-min Son of Los Angeles FC, with $11.2 million guaranteed.
He is followed by another Argentinean from Inter Miami, Rodrigo De Paul, whose salary amounts to 9.7 million.
The top 5 is rounded out by Mexico’s Hirving Lozano (San Diego FC) and Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United).
They will receive 9.3 million and 7.9 million, respectively, this season.
James Rodríguez's performance has not met expectations
QuéOnnda.com
By team, Inter Miami is by far the biggest payer.
They split $54.6 million in salaries among all their players, followed by Los Angeles FC, with $32.7 million.
Cincinnati distributes 23.5 million in salaries.
While the Philadelphia Union closes the list with 11.7 million guaranteed in 2026 (Filed under: Messi salary MLS 2026).
With information from EFE
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