The day that the MLS Players Association releases its initial player salary information drop is among the most enlightening days of the MLS calendar. It’s a roving observance rather than a fixed-date holiday,

In 2025, Messi is the highest-paid player with a guaranteed compensation of $20.4 million, per the MLS Players Association. Along with Messi, here's a look at the highest-paid MLS players in 2025 in terms of guaranteed compensation:

Lionel Messi is the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer for the third straight year with total annual compensation of $20.4 million, greater than the entire payroll of 21 teams.