LAFC's Son Heung-min Earns $11.2M Second Highest MLS Salary Behind Messi

Son Heung-min, who joined LAFC in August 2025 from Tottenham Hotspur with a record $26.5 million transfer, is the second-highest paid player in Major League Soccer (MLS), earning a guaranteed salary of approximately $11.2 million. Despite his midseason arrival, Son has been prolific, scoring nine goals in 10 regular-season games and winning the MLS Goal of the Year award. Lionel Messi of Inter Miami remains the highest-paid player with a guaranteed compensation of around $20.4 million and has already secured the MLS Golden Boot for 2025. Both Messi's and Son's total salaries exceed the payrolls of most MLS teams, highlighting their elite status in the league. Other notable earners include Sergio Busquets and Miguel Almiron, but no one besides Messi and Son surpasses the $10 million salary mark. Son's arrival marks a significant milestone for Asian athletes in global soccer, underscoring his impact both on and off the field.