Son Heung-min (LAFC) is being treated like a "superstar" even on the U.S. stage. It was confirmed that he receives the second-highest salary in Major League Soccer (MLS) after Lionel Messi (Inter Miami).
The Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA) on the 30th (Korean time) released the player salary guide for the 2025 season. This material disclosed players' base salaries and average guaranteed compensation together.
According to the MLSPA, Son Heung-min's base salary was recorded at $10,368,750 (about 14.9 billion won). This amount is the second highest after Messi's $12,000,000 (about 17.2 billion won).
Son Heung-min's average guaranteed compensation reached $11,152,852 (about 16.0 billion won). This included additional annual income such as signing bonuses and marketing bonuses. As a result, only two players in the MLS this season had base salaries exceeding $10 million: Messi and Son Heung-min.
Son Heung-min left Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League last summer and joined LAFC. Having served as Tottenham's marquee forward since 2015 and winning the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2021-2022 season, he reached the peak of his career by leading his team to the UEFA Europa League title in May. Since then he transferred to the MLS and has been driving the league's popularity.
Inside the MLS, Son Heung-min's presence is valued for more than just his on-field performance. League officials said he has a huge impact not only on play but also on marketing, ticket sales and youth programs. In fact, Son Heung-min's salary accounts for about one-third of LAFC's total expenditure. That means he has become the team's centerpiece and a symbol of the club.
According to the MLSPA announcement, Messi's average guaranteed compensation was $20,446,667 (about 29.3 billion won), ranking first in the league. Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami) ranked third with a base salary of $8,499,996 (about 12.1 billion won) and guaranteed compensation of $8,774,996 (about 12.5 billion won). Miguel Almirón (Atlanta) and Hirving Lozano (San Diego) took fourth and fifth place, respectively.
Son Heung-min has been playing in a manner commensurate with his high salary. On the 30th in Los Angeles, the first leg of the 2025 MLS playoffs Western Conference first round against Austin, LAFC won 2-1. Son Heung-min played the full match and led the attack. In the 36th minute of the first half, he showcased his presence by beating four defenders on a solo run and attempting a left-footed shot.
Meanwhile, Thomas Müller, who left Bayern Munich last August and transferred to Vancouver, had a base salary of $1,284,456 (about 1.8 billion won). Son Heung-min earns about 10 times more than Müller, making him one of the MLS's top stars.
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