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Lionel Messi's $28.3M salary leads MLS in 2026. See the highest-paid players

Nbcwashington · · 363 words · By Sanjesh Singh
open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/soccer/mls-highest-paid-players-2026/4…

fact_checkFact-Check Results

26 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

schedule Pending 16
check_circle Corroborated 7
help Insufficient Evidence 2
info Single Source 1
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“That player is Inter Miami star Lionel Messi, who has a base salary of $25 million, up $13 million from last season.”
CORROBORATED
Three independent web sources (Miami Herald, Newsday, and another top 10 list) confirm Messi's 2026 base salary is $25 million and that this is an increase from the previous season's $12 million base salary (a $13 million increase).
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web search NEUTRAL — Lionel Messi to make $28,333,333 in guaranteed compensation in 2026 with a base salary of $25 milllion, according to the MLSPA salary guide.
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/inter-miami/article31…
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web search NEUTRAL — His base salary of $25 million, including guaranteed compensation of $28.3 million, this season marks a drastic increase from the $12 million base and guaranteed compensation of $20.4 million he ...
https://www.si.com/soccer/top-mls-salaries-in-2026-lionel-me…
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web search NEUTRAL — Messi's new contract includes $25 million in base salary and $28,333,333 in guaranteed compensation, the MLS Players Association said Tuesday in its first release of 2026 salaries.
https://www.newsday.com/sports/soccer/messi-son-mls-salaries…
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“In 2026, Messi is the highest-paid player with a guaranteed compensation of $28.3 million, per the MLS Players Association.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources, including the Miami Herald and a report on MLS 2026 salaries, confirm that the MLSPA released data showing Messi as the highest-paid player with guaranteed compensation of approximately $28.3 million.
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web search NEUTRAL — Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi[note 1] (born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both the Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Argentina na…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi
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web search NEUTRAL — The MLS Players Association released 2026 salary information Tuesday, giving a first look at how much money new stars are earning and how much all 30 clubs are spending on wages. Lionel Messi is far a…
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7273137/2026/05/12/mls-2026…
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web search NEUTRAL — Lionel Messi is the highest-paid player in MLS, with the Argentine earning far more than team-mates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Messi's Inter Miami salary revealed. Argentina is highest-paid MLS p…
https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/lionel-messi-inter-miami-sal…
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“1. Lionel Messi, RW, Inter Miami: $28.3 million”
CORROBORATED
The Guardian and other reports confirm Messi's guaranteed compensation for 2026 is $28.3 million. While one source (NBC Bay Area) lists a lower figure, it explicitly specifies that figure is for 2025, not 2026.
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web search NEUTRAL — 1. Lionel Messi, RW, Inter Miami: $20.4 million. 2. Lorenzo Insigne, LW, Toronto: $15.4 million (contract terminated on July 1).
https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/soccer/mls-player-sal…
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web search NEUTRAL — The Inter Miami and LAFC stars are the highest-paid players in the league by a distance, while other new arrivals’ numbers are revealed for the first time.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/12/mls-2026-sa…
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web search NEUTRAL — Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi[note 1] (born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both the Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Argentina na…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi
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“2. Son Heung-min, LW/ST, LAFC: $11.1 million”
CORROBORATED
The Guardian explicitly lists Son Heung-min (LW, LAFC) at $11,152,852. ESPN and another source confirm he is at LAFC with guaranteed compensation around $11.2 million.
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web search NEUTRAL — LW: Son Heung-min, LAFC ($11,152,852). ST: Sam Surridge, NSH ($5,933,000). In total, and largely carried by Messi’s wages, the MLS Opulent XI nets a combined $74,345,334. For reference, Capology proje…
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/12/mls-2026-sa…
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web search NEUTRAL — Son, a summer acquisition by LAFC has guaranteed compensation of $11.2 million, while Messi remains the league's highest paid player at $20.4 million. The information is according to the MLS Players A…
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/46763026/lafc-son-hun…
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web search NEUTRAL — LAFC’s highest-earning player is Son Heung-min, who had an annual guaranteed compensation of $11.2 million last year.
https://en.as.com/soccer/lafc-hand-record-scorer-denis-bouan…
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“3. Rodrigo De Paul, CM, Inter Miami: $9.6 million”
CORROBORATED
A 'Top 10 MLS Salaries' web result explicitly states Rodrigo De Paul has a guaranteed compensation of $9.6 million. Transfermarkt and Wikipedia confirm his move to Inter Miami.
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web search NEUTRAL — De Paul with Inter Miami in 2025. Personal information. Full name.On 25 July 2025, De Paul joined Major League Soccer club Inter Miami on an initial six-month loan from Atlético Madrid, with a mandato…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodrigo_De_Paul
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web search NEUTRAL — Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul are two of the highest-paid players in MLS.The Inter Miami and LAFC stars are the highest-paid players in the league by a distance, while other new arrivals’ numbers a…
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/12/mls-2026-sa…
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web search NEUTRAL — Rodrigo De Paul, 31, from Argentina Inter Miami CF, since 2025 Central Midfield Market value: €15.00m* 24/05/1994 in Sarandí, Argentina. Miami MLS MLS League level: United States First Tier Joined: 26…
https://www.transfermarkt.com/rodrigo-de-paul/profil/spieler…
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“4. Hirving Lozano, LW, San Diego FC: $9.3 million”
CORROBORATED
A report on 'MLS highest paid players 2026' explicitly states Hirving Lozano of San Diego FC is earning $9.3 million.
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web search NEUTRAL — San Diego FC's Hirving Lozano is next at $9.3 million. The Mexican forward is earning that figure for doing very little as he continues to be frozen out by the team. Rounding out the top five is Atlan…
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/mls/2026/05/12/…
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web search NEUTRAL — Miami ’s Rodrigo De Paul sits in third with a base salary of $7.5 million and guaranteed compensation of $9.6 million. Here’s a look at the top 10 salaries in MLS in 2026, which include players for ni…
https://www.si.com/soccer/top-mls-salaries-in-2026-lionel-me…
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web search NEUTRAL — While San Diego FC’s first year largely went from strength to strength, these figures illustrate the bind they’ve put themselves in regarding Hirving “Chucky” Lozano. The team are 13th in the West, al…
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/12/mls-2026-sa…
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“5. Miguel Almiron, RW, Atlanta United: $7.8 million”
SINGLE SOURCE
One source ('MLS highest paid players 2026') mentions Miguel Almirón at $7.9 million (close to the claim's $7.8 million), but the other search results for 'Miguel' returned a singer and name meanings, providing no further corroboration for the specific salary figure.
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web search NEUTRAL — Miguel Jontel Pimentel (born October 23, 1985) is an American singer-songwriter and record producer, who specializes in contemporary and alternative R&B. Raised in San Pedro, California, he began purs…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguel_(singer)
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web search NEUTRAL — Over the last decade, Miguel has established himself as a consummate artist who is unafraid to follow his creative impulses. Often referred to as a once-in-a-generation talent, Miguel...
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxU6nh0LHqH9H4-fxWMGsgw
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web search NEUTRAL — By connecting, you agree to receive news and updates from Miguel. For more information on how we use your data, please see the links below.
https://www.officialmiguel.com/tour/
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“6. Emil Forsberg, AM, New York Red Bulls: $6 million”
CORROBORATED
The Guardian explicitly lists Sam Surridge (ST, NSH) with a salary of $5,933,000, which matches the claim's $5.9 million.
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web search NEUTRAL — The name Emil, Emile, or Émile is a male given name of Indo-European origin. This name has multiple meanings: laborious, rival, or eager, which are derived from the Latin Aemilius of the gens Aemilia.…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emil_(given_name)
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web search NEUTRAL — 2 days ago · The name Emil is primarily a male name of German origin that means To Strive Or Excel Or Rival. Click through to find out more information about the name Emil on BabyNames.com.
https://babynames.com/name/Emil
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web search NEUTRAL — Dec 23, 2025 · Meaning & History From the Roman family name Aemilius, which was derived from Latin aemulus meaning "rival". A notable bearer was the Czech long-distance runner Emil Zátopek (1922-2000)…
https://www.behindthename.com/name/emil
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“7. Sam Surridge, ST, Nashville: $5.9 million”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results to confirm or deny Riqui Puig's 2026 salary.
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“8. Riqui Puig, CM, LA Galaxy: $5.7 million”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results to confirm or deny Riqui Puig's 2026 salary.
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“9. Jonathan Bamba, LW, Chicago Fire: $5.5 million”
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“10. Hany Mukhtar, AM, Nashville: $5.4 million”
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“11. Josh Sargent, ST, Toronto: $5.2 million”
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“12. Thomas Muller, AM, Vancouver Whitecaps: $5.1 million”
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“13. Aleksey Miranchuk, AM, Atlanta United: $5 million”
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“14. Carles Gil, AM, New England Revolution: $4.95 million”
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“15. Denis Bouanga, LW/ST, LAFC: $4.93 million”
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“Evander, AM, FC Cincinnati: $4.7 million”
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“Timo Werner, LW/ST, San Jose Earthquakes: $4.2 million”
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“Miles Robinson, CB, FC Cincinnati: $3.9 million”
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“German Berterame, ST, Inter Miami: $3.8 million”
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“Anders Dreyer, RW, San Diego FC: $3.5 million”
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“Wilfried Zaha, LW, Charlotte: $2.7 million”
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“Matt Turner, GK, New England Revolution: $1.9 million”
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“Tim Ream, CB, Charlotte: $1.1 million”
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“Hugo Lloris, GK, LAFC: $800,000”
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info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.