James Rodriguez’s arrival at Minnesota United at the start of 2026 marks a new milestone in Major League Soccer. At 34 years of age, and with an eye on the World Cup to be held in North America this summer, the Colombian No.10 arrives not only to bring magic to Allianz Field, but also to inscribe his name in the exclusive list of stars who transformed the league with million-dollar contracts.
Although James’ deal with the Loons has been cleverly structured under the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) to optimize the financial impact, his arrival invites us to look back and review the contracts that broke the market and redefined soccer in the United States.
The James effect: Between magic and strategy
James Rodriguez arrives as a free agent after his spell with Club Leon in Mexico. His initial six-month contract is a masterstroke by Minnesota:
He does not necessarily occupy a Designated Player (DP) spot in the more rigid scheme, allowing for salary flexibility. Although he will have a salary commensurate with his stature, with around $5 million.
He instantly becomes the most media-friendly figure in the history of the St. Paul franchise.
The contracts that changed the history of MLS
To understand James’ value today, it is worth remembering those who paved the way with contracts that, at the time, seemed impossible.
1. The Big Bang: David Beckham (LA Galaxy, 2007)
You can’t talk about historic contracts without the Englishman. His signing not only created the ‘Designated Player Rule’, but also included a visionary clause: the option to buy an expansion franchise for just $25 million (which today is Inter Miami).
It changed the global perception of MLS, going from a retirement league to a destination for business and stardom.
2. The total revolution: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, 2023)
If Beckham laid the foundations, Messi built the skyscraper. His contract is the most complex and lucrative in American sports history:
His salary is approximately $20.4 million annually in guaranteed compensation.
It also includes several extras, such as revenue-sharing agreements with Apple TV (MLS Season Pass) and Adidas. Lionel Messi raised franchise values to NBA or NFL levels.
3. The Asian record: Heung-Min Son (LAFC, 2025)
Recently, the South Korean broke the transfer market. LAFC paid around 22.5 million euros to Tottenham, making it the most expensive transfer in the history of the league.
His salary is estimated to be $11.2 million, putting him just behind Messi on the current pay scale.
Comparison table: The ‘salary heavyweights’
The following are the contracts with the highest annual guaranteed compensation in recent history (estimated figures):
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) $20.4M – 2025/2026
- Lorenzo Insigne (Toronto FC) $15.4M – 2022
- Heung-Min Son (LAFC) $11.2M – 2026
- Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami) $8.8M – 2025
- Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire) $8.1M – 2023
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic (LA Galaxy) $7.2M – 2019
The most expensive transfers
Unlike James (who arrives on a free), other clubs have had to open their wallets to pay European or South American teams:
- Heung-Min Son (LAFC): $24.5M (from Tottenham, 2025).
- Emmanuel Latte Lath (Atlanta United): $22M (from Middlesbrough, 2025).
- Thiago Almada (Atlanta United): $16M (from Velez Sarsfield, 2022).
- Kevin Denkey (FC Cincinnati): $16.2M (from Cercle Brugge, 2025).
What does James mean for the future of the league?
James’ arrival at Minnesota United confirms that MLS is no longer just looking for young prospects to resell (Atlanta United model) or global superstars for Miami or Los Angeles. Now, ‘mid-market’ teams like Minnesota can attract a World Cup Golden Boot winner.
James not only brings his prodigious left foot, but also a connection to the Latino community and media relevance that puts the Loons on the global map just before the biggest sporting event on the planet.
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