James Rodríguez and Lionel Messi's Salaries in MLS Revealed: How Much Do They Earn?
The arrival of James Rodríguez in MLS revived the debate about the salaries of big South American stars in United States soccer.
TL;DR
- James Rodríguez signed a six-month contract with Minnesota United, with an option to extend for another year.
- His salary is reportedly close to $5 million for the initial contract period.
- Lionel Messi earns $36 million annually, over seven times more than James Rodríguez.
- Messi benefits from the designated player status, allowing clubs to exceed salary caps.
- James's contract was structured under a special legal scheme to avoid impacting Minnesota United's finances.
- Other high earners in MLS, like Heung-min Son and Hirving Lozano, also earn significantly more than James.
- James's priority is game time and rhythm for the 2026 World Cup, not solely financial gain.
- His debut in MLS could be on February 21st against Austin FC.