[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"football-site-config":3,"world-cup-status-en":27,"news-detail-messi-remains-top-earner-25m-salary-doubles-next-highest":43,"news-related-messi-remains-top-earner-25m-salary-doubles-next-highest-en":79,"news-related-match-messi-remains-top-earner-25m-salary-doubles-next-highest-en":26},{"adSlots":4,"affiliateMode":5,"brandName":6,"contentStrategy":7,"currency":8,"friendLinks":9,"homepageLayoutKey":10,"leagueFocus":11,"locale":12,"planVisibility":13,"seoDescription":14,"seoTitleTemplate":15,"siteCode":10,"siteName":6,"siteType":10,"subscriptionMode":5,"timezone":16,"id":17,"tenantID":18,"primaryDomain":19,"countryCode":20,"logoUrl":21,"faviconUrl":21,"theme":22,"seoKeywords":24,"status":25,"ads":4,"focusLeagues":26,"affiliatePolicies":26},[],"shared","Football Prediction Platform","scores_predictions","USD",[],"main",[],"en-US",[],"Football fixtures, results, free predictions, subscriptions, and clearly labeled partner links.","{page} | Football Prediction Platform","America\u002FNew_York",323900000000000000,1,"football.easytestdev.online","US","",{"primaryColor":23},"#1677ff","football predictions, football fixtures, football results","active",null,{"active":28,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"leagueImagePath":31,"seasonId":32,"seasonName":33,"startingAt":34,"endingAt":35,"daysToStart":36,"daysToEnd":37,"phase":38,"includeQualifying":28,"hostCities":39},true,"326135624916537344","World Cup","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fleagues\u002F1.png","326255613308833792","2026\u002F2027","2026-06-11","2026-06-28",6,23,"upcoming",[40,41,42],"Mexico City","Monterrey","Zapopan",{"article":44},{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":45,"category":46,"excerpt":47,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":48,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":51,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":52,"slug":53,"sourceName":54,"sourceURL":55,"teamId":56,"teamName":57,"teamIds":58,"teamNames":68,"title":78},"Lionel Messi has solidified his status as the unrivaled financial king of Major League Soccer after signing a contract extension with Inter Miami in October that more than doubled his base salary to $25 million (£18.5m) per year, with guaranteed compensation reaching $28.3 million. The deal, announced through the MLS Players Association's latest salary release, cements the Argentine forward as the league's top earner by a staggering margin.\n\nThe numbers underscore Messi's singular value: his base pay is over twice that of the next-highest earner, Son Heung-min of LAFC, who commands a $10.4 million salary with $11.2 million guaranteed. While Son, the former Tottenham stalwart, has made a smooth transition to MLS at 33, the financial gap illustrates the unparalleled commercial and competitive draw Messi provides.\n\nTrailing Son in the salary rankings are Messi's Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo de Paul and San Diego FC's Hirving Lozano, both World Cup veterans for Argentina and Mexico respectively. Though specific figures for these players were not disclosed in the report, they are noted to earn slightly less than Son, underscoring the elite company Messi keeps while still dwarfing their compensation.\n\nThe contract extension arrives as Messi approaches his 39th birthday and shows no signs of slowing down. Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, he has tallied 59 goals in 64 regular-season appearances, led the club to its first MLS Cup in 2025, and collected consecutive league MVP awards. Last season, his 29 goals topped the scoring charts, reaffirming his dominance at a stage when many players consider winding down.\n\nFrom an organizational perspective, Inter Miami's investment is a calculated bet on sustained success and global relevance. Co-owned by David Beckham, the club has already honored Messi by naming a stand after him—a move that speaks to his transformational impact. The contract includes an option for Messi to acquire an ownership stake in the franchise, aligning his long-term interests with the club's growth. Crucially, the published salary figures exclude such equity components and his substantial endorsement income, meaning his actual annual take could be many times higher.\n\nFor the broader MLS ecosystem, the yawning wage gap raises questions about competitive balance and the league's Designated Player mechanism, which allows teams to spend above the rigid salary cap on select stars. Messi's presence undoubtedly lifts the league's profile, drawing record attendances, TV ratings, and sponsorship deals. Yet his salary equivalent to more than two Son Heung-mins—itself a marquee acquisition—reflects the extreme concentration of resources that some critics argue could undermine parity.\n\nSon's move to LAFC represented a significant coup, bringing a Premier League-proven talent to the West Coast. His $10.4 million base may seem modest by comparison, but it still ranks among the league's largest contracts, highlighting how even elite international names operate on a different tier from Messi. The South Korean's marketability and on-field production justify the expense, but the gap to Messi illustrates the unique tier the World Cup winner occupies.\n\nRodrigo de Paul's inclusion on the list alongside Messi at Inter Miami creates a compelling Argentine connection in South Florida. The midfielder, who started in Argentina's 2022 World Cup final victory, provides steel and service to Messi, and their partnership has been instrumental in the club's rise. Lozano's high salary at expansion side San Diego FC signals the league's ambition to attract prime-age talent from top European leagues.\n\nHistorically, Messi's deal shatters previous MLS salary records, which were held by players like Lorenzo Insigne and Xherdan Shaqiri in the $14–15 million range. The leap to $25 million reflects not only Messi's unparalleled star power but also the league's evolving financial calculus, where one player can single-handedly transform a franchise's valuation and global brand.\n\nLooking ahead, Inter Miami will rely on Messi to defend their MLS Cup and compete in continental tournaments. As he nears his fourth decade, his durability and performance level will be critical; any dip could expose the team's over-dependence. For now, though, his goal scoring and visionary play continue to justify every dollar. The rest of the league watches and learns, with many clubs likely to pursue their own mega-star signings to close the gap.\n\nThe financial stratification extends beyond the pitch. Messi's contract includes revenue-sharing arrangements that tie his earnings to the growth of the league and its media rights, a model that could set a precedent for future megastars. As MLS expands and international investment pours in, the salary ceiling may continue to rise, but for the foreseeable future, Messi will be the benchmark against which all other deals are measured.\n\nBased on reporting from BBC Sport.","news","Lionel Messi's $25m base salary at Inter Miami widens MLS wage gap as Son Heung-min ($10.4m) and Rodrigo de Paul trail in latest earnings report.","329779072919932929","326135629471551488","Major League Soccer","0","2026-05-12T22:14:27Z","messi-remains-top-earner-25m-salary-doubles-next-highest","BBC Sport","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fsport\u002Ffootball\u002Farticles\u002Fcewp0rzldx0o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","326257590608596992","Inter Miami",[56,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67],"326222712110321664","326257546094448640","326257590805729280","326257539769438208","326222707169431552","326255038114566144","326255039171530752","326222711908995072","326222712726884352",[57,69,70,71,72,73,74,75,76,77],"Argentina","Tottenham","San Diego","Inter","Anderlecht","Santa Clara","Dinamo Minsk","Mexico","Cape Verde Islands","Messi Remains Top Earner: $25m Salary Doubles Next-Highest",[80,110,124,173],{"awayTeamId":81,"awayTeamName":82,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":83,"homeTeamId":84,"homeTeamName":85,"id":86,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":87,"matchName":88,"publishedAt":89,"slug":90,"sourceName":91,"sourceURL":92,"teamId":84,"teamName":85,"teamIds":93,"teamNames":101,"title":109},"326257590050754560","New York Red Bulls","Ernst Tanner hasn't returned to the Union after his ban ended; restorative training incomplete. Philly resumes play July 22 versus New York Red Bulls.","326257589958479872","Philadelphia Union","337724843988357121","327061957255368704","Philadelphia Union vs New York Red Bulls","2026-06-03T20:29:08Z","ernst-tanner-fails-mls-training-union-return-set","The Guardian","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ffootball\u002F2026\u002Fjun\u002F03\u002Fernst-tanner-mls-philadelphia-union",[84,81,94,95,96,63,97,98,99,100],"326222712076767232","326257745512632320","326257810885054464","326257545754710016","326257546392244224","326255042854129664","326255043940454400",[85,82,102,103,104,73,105,106,107,108],"Germany","Members","York","Newcastle","Nottingham Forest","FC Urartu","Banga","Ernst Tanner Fails MLS Training: Union Return Set",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":111,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":112,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":51,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":113,"slug":114,"sourceName":115,"sourceURL":116,"teamId":56,"teamName":57,"teamIds":117,"teamNames":120,"title":123},"Guillermo Hoyos will remain Inter Miami head coach after the 2026 World Cup break, sources confirm, providing stability amid a crucial MLS season.","337331702135263233","2026-06-02T14:15:58Z","why-hoyos-is-staying-inter-miami-coach-through-world-cup","ESPN","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.espn.com\u002Fsoccer\u002Fstory\u002F_\u002Fid\u002F48948694\u002Finter-miami-coach-guillermo-hoyos-world-cup-mls",[56,62,66,118,63,97,98,119],"326222713142120448","326257554411753472",[57,72,76,121,73,105,106,122],"Canada","Newcastle Jets","Why Hoyos is Staying: Inter Miami Coach Through World Cup",{"awayTeamId":98,"awayTeamName":106,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":125,"homeTeamId":126,"homeTeamName":127,"id":128,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":129,"matchName":130,"publishedAt":131,"slug":132,"sourceName":54,"sourceURL":133,"teamId":134,"teamName":135,"teamIds":136,"teamNames":154,"title":172},"Chelsea's Cucurella targeted by Barça, Real, Atlético; plus Rashford future uncertain, Silva close to Barca exit, Beckham pursues Guardiola.","326257545712766976","Manchester United","336999984081670145","327054566501650432","Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest","2026-06-01T20:31:36Z","why-chelsea-s-cucurella-is-wanted-by-la-liga-giants","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fsport\u002Ffootball\u002Farticles\u002Fc172k5rnvydo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","326257546220277760","Chelsea",[134,126,98,137,138,139,140,141,142,143,144,145,146,97,147,148,62,56,60,149,150,151,152,153],"326257565233057792","326257565195309056","326257565535047680","326257534430089216","326257546258026496","326255037950988288","326257808251031552","326222712533946368","326257545918287872","326257534526558208","326257539614248960","326257545968619520","326257546425798656","326257546459353088","326257811245764608","326257565316943872","326257565811871744",[135,127,106,155,156,157,158,159,160,161,162,163,164,105,165,166,72,57,70,167,168,169,170,171],"Atletico Madrid","Barcelona","Real Madrid","Eintracht Frankfurt","Manchester City","Crystal Palace","Middlesbrough","Ivory Coast","Liverpool","RB Leipzig","Atalanta","Arsenal","Aston Villa","Sunderland","Wrexham","Valencia","Elche","Why Chelsea's Cucurella is Wanted by La Liga Giants",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":174,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":175,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":51,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":176,"slug":177,"sourceName":54,"sourceURL":178,"teamId":179,"teamName":180,"teamIds":181,"teamNames":197,"title":213},"Celtic target £2.6m-rated Zinedin Smajlovic while Hearts close on Calvin Miller. Preston trigger £6m option for Alfie Devine. Aberdeen near Connor Ronan deal.","336792271577944065","2026-06-01T06:52:08Z","celtic-eye-2-6m-defender-as-hearts-near-miller-deal","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fsport\u002Ffootball\u002Farticles\u002Fcy92343e2r8o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","326257660078854144","Heart Of Midlothian",[179,182,183,98,184,142,185,186,187,188,189,190,191,192,193,194,195,196,150],"326257660225654784","326257554160095232","326257590319190016","326585125682810880","326257567107911680","326257659982385152","326257567011442688","326257563425312768","326257536179113984","326255038185869312","326257660011745280","326255042132709376","326257567044997120","326255038148120576","326257807630274560",[180,198,199,106,200,160,201,202,203,204,205,206,207,208,209,210,211,212,168],"Falkirk","Western Sydney Wanderers","Colorado Rapids","Alloa Athletic","Bodo\u002FGlimt","Kilmarnock","Celtic","Feyenoord","Toulouse","Aberdeen","ST Mirren","Dundee Utd","Rangers","Hibernian","Southampton","Celtic Eye £2.6m Defender as Hearts Near Miller Deal"]