Story perspectives

Messi signs extension, Inter Miami payroll tops $54 million.

5/13/2026

Summary

Messi Signs Extension

Lionel Messi signed a three-year extension through 2028 with a $25 million base salary and $28,333,333 guaranteed compensation for 2026, making him MLS’s highest-paid player.
Son Heung-min earned $10,368,750 base and $11,152,852 guaranteed, the league’s second-highest salary.
Inter Miami’s guaranteed payroll hit $54.57 million, far above the league average of $688,816 per player.
The league median salary rose 3.6 % to $352,104 and total guaranteed compensation reached $631 million.

Summary

**Messi Powers Miami**

Messi owns a stake in Inter Miami incorporated into his contract.
Fanatics and Apple deals lift his earnings to $70-$80 million annually.
Apple and MLS cut their media-rights term by three years despite Messi’s draw.
Messi posted nine goals and four assists in 12 games, keeping Miami third in the Eastern Conference.
Messi led Miami to the 2025 MLS Cup and earned back-to-back MVP honors.

Summary

Lozano Benched

Sporting director Tyler Heaps announced Hirving “Chucky” Lozano will not play for Inter Miami again after a postseason benching for behavioral reasons, hurting his negotiation leverage.
MLS Players Association data shows Lozano’s guaranteed $9.3 million contract runs through 2028 despite zero minutes this season, a rare high-pay, no-play situation.
Inter Miami signed veteran forwards Timo Werner ($4.3 million, San Jose) and Josh Sargent ($5.3 million, Toronto FC), underscoring MLS’s focus on experienced European players.

History

Historical Context

In January 2007 David Beckham announced a five-year deal with MLS side LA Galaxy, prompting the league to adopt the Designated Player rule that let him earn $50 million over the contract and bypass the salary cap. The move vaulted MLS into global headlines, attracted corporate partners, and set a template for later marquee signings like Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi.

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Messi Signs Extension

Lionel Messi signed a three-year extension through 2028 with a $25 million base salary and $28,333,333 guaranteed compensation for 2026, making him MLS’s highest-paid player.
Son Heung-min earned $10,368,750 base and $11,152,852 guaranteed, the league’s second-highest salary.
Inter Miami’s guaranteed payroll hit $54.57 million, far above the league average of $688,816 per player.
The league median salary rose 3.6 % to $352,104 and total guaranteed compensation reached $631 million.

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