Inter Miami CF continues to shatter financial records in Major League Soccer. According to official player compensation data released by the MLS Players Association (MLSPA), Inter Miami boasts an unprecedented total team payroll of $54.6 million, making it by far the highest wage bill in league history.
From superstar captain Lionel Messi to major marquee arrivals like Rodrigo De Paul and Casemiro, here is a comprehensive look at Inter Miami’s 2026 salary rankings and squad earnings.
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| Messi ranks among others |
The Top Earners at Inter Miami in 2026
The Herons' payroll is heavily weighted at the top, featuring several of the highest-paid athletes across North American sports:
| Player | Position | Base Salary | Guaranteed Compensation |
| Lionel Messi | Forward / Attacker | $25,000,000 | $28,333,333 |
| Rodrigo De Paul | Midfielder | $7,569,000 | $9,688,320 |
| Casemiro | Defensive Midfielder | MLS Review Pending | Marquee Free Agent |
| Luis Suárez | Striker | $1,500,000 | $1,700,000 |
| Jordi Alba | Left-Back | $1,250,000 | $1,500,000 |
| Sergio Busquets | Midfielder | $1,500,000 | $1,775,000 |
Lionel Messi: Doubled Base Salary Sets MLS Benchmark
Following his contract extension, Lionel Messi's base salary rose to $25 million, taking his total guaranteed compensation from MLS to $28.33 million per season.
Messi earns more than the entire individual wage bills of 28 out of the 29 other MLS clubs.
Factoring in revenue-sharing deals with Apple TV and Adidas, total annual income for the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is estimated between $70M and $80M
Top 5 Highest-Earning MLS Attackers
| Rank | Player | Club | Base Salary | Total Guaranteed Compensation |
| 1 | Lionel Messi | Inter Miami CF | $25,000,000 | $28,333,333 |
| 2 | Olivier Giroud | LAFC | $5,500,000 | $6,000,000 |
| 3 | Sebastián Driussi | Austin FC | $4,500,000 | $4,708,333 |
| 4 | Cucho Hernández | Columbus Crew | $4,000,000 | $4,300,000 |
| 5 | Christian Benteke | D.C. United | $4,250,000 | $4,250,000 |
Casemiro Joins Midseason Roster
Following his departure from Manchester United, veteran midfielder Casemiro signed with Inter Miami as a free agent. His addition further bolsters the squad's world-class experience alongside former Barcelona teammates Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.
Rodrigo De Paul Ranks Among MLS Elites
Argentine World Cup champion Rodrigo De Paul commands the second-highest salary on Inter Miami's books with a guaranteed compensation of $9.69 million. Combined with Messi, the two international teammates account for over 69% of the team's baseline player payroll.
Top 5 Highest-Paid MLS Midfielders in 2026
| Rank | Player | Club | Position | Base Salary | Total Guaranteed Compensation |
| 1 | Rodrigo De Paul | Inter Miami CF | Central / Defensive Midfield | $7,569,000 | $9,688,320 |
| 2 | Emil Forsberg | New York Red Bulls | Attacking Midfield | $5,400,000 | $6,035,625 |
| 3 | Riqui Puig | LA Galaxy | Central / Attacking Midfield | $5,000,000 | $5,792,188 |
| 4 | Hany Mukhtar | Nashville SC | Attacking Midfield | $5,000,000 | $5,411,667 |
| 5 | Carles Gil | New England Revolution | Attacking Midfield | $4,500,000 | $4,952,083 |
How Inter Miami Compares Across MLS
Inter Miami's roster strategy stands as an anomaly in Major League Soccer. While the median MLS player salary rests at $352,104, Miami’s spending dwarfs every competitor:
1. Inter Miami CF: $54.6 Million
2. Los Angeles FC: $32.7 Million
3. Atlanta United: $26.4 Million
4. LA Galaxy: $26.4 Million
At $54.6 million, Inter Miami spends nearly five times as much as lower-payroll clubs such as the Philadelphia Union ($11.7M), proving that ownership is fully committed to maintaining a superstar-heavy squad.
