Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami Pay vs. Son Heung-min’s Rumored LAFC Salary: Who’s the Real MLS Top Earner?

Breaking Down the Messi vs. Son MLS Salary Story

Lionel Messi made headlines when he joined Inter Miami in 2023, signing for what seems a modest $12 million annual salary. That’s a far cry from what he pocketed in Paris or Barcelona. But here’s the kicker—his total pay package is way bigger, thanks to bonuses, a cut of new subscriber revenues from Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, and those never-ending endorsement deals. Adidas, Apple, and even local Miami businesses are in the mix. Take away all those extras, though, and $12 million is what’s on paper for base salary.

Next up? Son Heung-min—the Tottenham star and South Korea’s captain—has LAFC’s attention if the rumors turn out real. The numbers floating around suggest that LAFC could offer him more than Messi’s Inter Miami base, maybe pushing into the $15 million territory just for salary—and that’s before we talk shirts sold in Seoul or sponsors targeting Asia.

MLS Salary Structures and What They Really Mean

Here’s where things get interesting for fans following the money trail in Major League Soccer. The league has strict salary cap rules, but teams can splash out for up to three Designated Players who don’t count fully against the cap. That’s how Miami landed Messi, and how LAFC could lure Son with a monster paycheck—even outbidding rivals from Europe or Saudi Arabia.

But it’s not just about who gets the fattest check every month. MLS increasingly tweaks deals to keep global icons happy. For Messi, the real treasure is in revenue-sharing. Sources say he gets a slice every time Apple TV lands a new MLS subscriber, plus sponsors line up for a shot at the Messi effect. Add in appearance bonuses, goal and assist incentives, and the number gets towering—easily dwarfing most base salaries in American sports.

Son’s buzz is different. LAFC knows the commercial pull he brings—not just on-field, but with marketing gold across the Pacific. If he jumps to LA, the club stands to crack the Asian audience wide open. This time, the paycheck would focus on a massive base wage and image rights, tempting Son with both cash and a prime West Coast lifestyle.

• Messi’s apparent $12M salary is overshadowed by bonus money, endorsement riches, and unique deals with Apple and Adidas.
• Son Heung-min could take home even more base cash if LAFC’s pursuit is real, thanks to his value as both a player and an international brand.
• LAFC’s revenue projections count on Son’s popularity bringing fresh sponsors and waves of new fans from Asia and beyond.

This head-to-head salary talk isn’t just a numbers game—it reveals how MLS has figured out that luring stars takes more than just a big contract. Smart revenue packages, creative bonuses, and a chance to become the face of a club or even the entire league are changing how MLS does business. Messi’s deal is proof that the modern superstar gets paid well beyond what the official contract says. With Son, LAFC seem ready to test just how high that bar can go next.