South Korea's national football team captain Son Heung-min of LAFC will earn approximately 16.6 billion won in guaranteed salary this season, according to newly released data.
The 2026 season salary data disclosed by the MLS Players Association on Wednesday (local time) showed that Son will receive $11,152,852 (approximately 16.6 billion won) this year.
The figure ranks second among all MLS players. Topping the list is Lionel Messi of Inter Miami, known as "the god of football," with a salary of $28,333,333 (approximately 42.3 billion won).
Third on the list is Messi's Inter Miami teammate, midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, at $9,688,320.
The salaries disclosed by the MLS Players Association reflect the average annual guaranteed compensation as of April 16 this year, calculated by combining the annual base salary with signing bonuses and guaranteed bonuses prorated annually over the contract period.
The figures include marketing bonuses and agent fees, but exclude performance-based bonuses since those amounts are not guaranteed.
They also do not include individual compensation from team or sponsor contracts, meaning the actual total annual income earned by each player may be higher.
