Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi made more than $20 million this year.
Real Salt Lake, meanwhile, spent $15.6 million on its entire roster, according to salary information released by the Major League Soccer Players’ Association last week.
RSL ranked 23rd in total compensation among the league’s 30 teams.
Miami ($48.9 million), LAFC ($30.1 million), Atlanta United ($28.5 million) FC Cincinnati ($23.2 million) and the Chicago Fire ($23.1 million) topped the list.
Only D.C., Colorado, Minnesota, Toronto, Philadelphia, Dallas and Montreal spent less than RSL.
The gap between Salt Lake and the league’s biggest clubs is “probably the biggest challenge” facing Salt Lake, new President of Soccer Operations Jason Kreis said.
“I think it will be the biggest challenge for us to consistently compete for championships when we will be outspent,” Kreis said. “I don’t think there’s any doubt about it. We will be outspent in player acquisition and player cost by bigger clubs in bigger markets that have bigger stadiums that have bigger marketing that have so much more revenue. So what are we going to do about that?”
Kreis, who took control of both RSL and Utah Royals FC last week, said he believes his team can still compete for championships, though. He said improving player and staff development, recruitment and culture will be his focus as he takes on his new role.
“We’re looking at how we’ve operated over the last couple of years and I think we’ve been honest with ourselves to say we haven’t done a good enough job in the recruitment department,” he said. “If we’re going to go out there and spend millions of dollars on players, we have to know what we’re doing.”
RSL added striker Rwan Cruz ($1.8 million) during the summer transfer window, making him the club’s highest-paid player — ahead of attacker Diogo Goncalves ($1.79 million) and veteran defender Justen Glad ($1.3 million).
Defender DeAndre Yedlin ($948,000), forward Victor Olatunji ($626,500) and goalkeeper Rafael Cabral ($626,500) were among the other newcomers at the top of the RSL pay scale.
The Miller family became the majority owners of Real Salt Lake midway through last season. Salt Lake ultimately finished ninth in the Western Conference, losing to Portland in the wild-card round.
“I would say emphatically, yes, we can compete at the highest level,” Larry H. Miller Company CEO Steve Starks said. “That doesn’t always mean we’re going to spend the most. I think you see that across the sports world. Culture really matters. Development really matters. But at the end of the day, you do have to make an investment as well.
“The Miller family, our ownership group, wouldn’t be doing this if we didn’t believe we can compete at the highest level and compete for championships.”
While newcomer San Diego FC ($22.3 million) spent a considerable amount to claim the top spot in the Western Conference this year, Supporters’ Shield winners Philadelphia spent just $13.4 million.
“I’m somebody that strongly, strongly believes that you can go spend the most money in the world, but if those players don’t know how to play together, in soccer, in our sport, that isn’t always going to lead to success,” Kreis said. “I do believe there is something about having a really tight-knit group of players that work together that can bring you to a different level.”
(Real Salt Lake) Real Salt Lake Director of Operations & Special Projects, Jason Kreis, looks on ahead of the club's game against DC United on June 15, 2025.
Major League Soccer team’s total guaranteed compensation for 2025
Inter Miami — $48.97 million
LAFC — $30.1 million
Atlanta United — $28.5 million
FC Cincinnati — $23.2 million
Chicago Fire — $23.1 million
Nashville SC — $22.4 million
Portland Timbers — $22.4 million
LA Galaxy — $22.3 million
San Diego FC — $22.3 million
New York Red Bulls — $22.1 million
Columbus Crew — $19.2 million
New England Revolution — $19.1 million
Charlotte FC — $19 million
NYCFC — $18.8 million
Seattle Sounders — $18.3 million
Sporting Kansas City — $17.6 million
Vancouver Whitecaps — $17.6 million
San Jose Earthquakes — $17.1 million
St. Louis City — $16.9 million
Houston Dynamo — $16.8 million
Orlando City — $16.1 million
Austin FC — $15.7 million
Real Salt Lake — $15.7 million
D.C. United — $14.9 million
Colorado Rapids — $14.6 million
Minnesota United — $14.5 million
Toronto FC — $13.7 million
Philadelphia Union — $13.4 million
FC Dallas — $13.4 million
CF Montreal — $12.92 million
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi gestures during the second half of a Major League Soccer match against Los Angeles FC Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Major League Soccer’s highest-paid players
- Lionel Messi — Inter Miami — $20,446,667
- Heung-min Son — LAFC — $11,152,852
- Sergio Busquets — Inter Miami — $8,774,996
- Miguel Almirón — Atlanta United — $7,871,000
- Hirving Lozano — San Diego FC — $7,633,333
- Emil Forsberg — New York Red Bulls — $6,035,625
- Jordi Alba — Inter Miami — $6,000,000
- Ricard Puig Martí — LA Galaxy — $5,779,688
- Jonathan Bamba — Chicago Fire — $5,581,806
- Hany Mukhtar — Nashville SC — $5,311,667
- Christian Benteke — DC United — $4,937,500
- Aleksey Miranchuk — Atlanta United — $4,885,441
- Evander da Silva Ferreira — FC Cincinnati — $4,736,411
- Carles Gil — New England Revolution — $4,702,083
- Joseph Paintsil — LA Galaxy — $4,182,000
- Emmanuel Latte Lath — Atlanta United — $4,030,546
- Luis Muriel — Orlando City SC — $4,003,333
- Kévin Denkey — FC Cincinnati — $3,810,000
- Denis Bouanga — LAFC — $3,709,500
- Ryan Gauld — Vancouver Whitecaps — $3,675,000
- Nicolás Fernández Mercau — New York City FC — $3,650,000
- Jonathan Rodríguez — Portland Timbers — $3,627,500
- Rodrigo De Paul — Inter Miami — $3,619,320
- Brandon Vazquez — Austin FC — $3,551,778
- Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting — New York Red Bulls — $3,530,667