Ciudad de Bolivar Overview

Lionel Messi and Co. remain favorites, but strong starts from Nashville, San Jose and Vancouver have the league nicely poised heading into a long break.

GOAL looks at the biggest names in MLS to watch at the World Cup this summer, and the list expands far beyond the reigning MVP winner

Lionel Messi is set to make a league record $28.3 million this year, more than all but two MLS clubs' total payroll, the MLSPA revealed in its release of salary data Tuesday afternoon. The Inter Miami star's intake has increased nearly 40 percent since last year. Other top earners included LAFC's Son Heung-Min, Miami's Rodrigo De Paul, and San Diego's Chucky Lozano.

The full extent of Lionel Messi’s financial impact on Major League Soccer has been laid bare following the latest release of official salary data. While the Argentine superstar continues to dominate on the pitch for Inter Miami, the figures confirm he remains in a league of his own when it comes to compensation in North America.