Los Angeles FC star Son Heung-min now ranks just behind Lionel Messi among MLS’s top earners, with an annual salary of $10.4 million and total compensation of $11.2 million.
Son joined LAFC in August after more than a decade at Tottenham Hotspur and quickly made an impact, scoring nine goals in 10 league matches. Messi remains the league’s highest-paid player, earning $12 million in salary and $20.4 million total with Inter Miami, where his deal runs through 2025 but is expected to extend to 2028.
Other top MLS newcomers include Hirving “Chucky” Lozano (San Diego, $7.6m total), Jonathan Bamba (Chicago, $5.6m), and Wilfried Zaha (Charlotte, $2.8m). Messi’s teammate Rodrigo De Paul earns $3.6 million in total compensation.
