The Major League Soccer Players Union MLSPU have revealed the annual player salaries of every franchise under the league, find out the top 25 highest paid players in 2023 in the MLS
The MLS is quickly growing into a major league and has seen increasing player wages over recent years.
MLS 2023 salaries, full list of top 25 highest paid players in Major League Soccer
Just in: @MLSPA released the 2023 MLS players salaries. Among the top 5 of the highest-paid MLS players is 🇦🇷Sebastian Driussi, who signed a contract extension in February.
1⃣Shaquiri #CF97
2⃣Insigne #TFCLive
3⃣Chicharito #LAGalaxy
4️⃣Bernardeschi #TFCLive
5️⃣Driussi #AustinFC pic.twitter.com/3D9jBt2y2P— Michelle Sánchez (@MichelleS_tv) May 16, 2023
Shaqiri🇨🇭 to @ChicagoFire for $7.5 million 'til 2024.
Insigne🇮🇹 to @TorontoFC on a free 'til 2026, highest paid player in @MLS history at $14 million per szn.
Douglas Costa🇧🇷 to @LAGalaxy on loan, with contract through 2023 szn agreed after.
Watch out, world, @mls is #loading— Joe Freihofer (@joe_freihofer) February 10, 2022
Currently, Toronto FC are the biggest spenders in the MLS with a budget of $27.5 million. Behind them are LA Galaxy with a $23.5 million budget, and Atlanta United with a $21.3 million budget.
CF Montréal are the least spenders with a budget of $10.5 million but in comparison still spend more than some mid-level teams in leagues like LaLiga or Serie A.
Top 25 highest paid players in Major League Soccer (MLS)
Given below are the Top 25 highest paid players in Major League Soccer (MLS) excluding any other forms of compensation:
- Alan Pulido – $2,200,000
Alan Pulido is a top Mexican player who currently plays for a poor Sporting KC side.
- Evander – $2,230,000
Evander is a Portland Timbers attacker who has 4 goals from 9 games.
- Karol Swiderski – $2,258,000
Polish striker Karol Swiderski is a Charlotte FC player who has 13 goals from 38 matches in the MLS.
- Thiago Almada – $2,332,000
Thiago Almada is an Argentine World Cup winner and highlight reel player who could potentially be the most expensive outgoing player with a transfer fee between $30-40 million.
- Ryan Gauld – $2,505,000
Scottish midfielder Ryan Gauld has been a standout player this season with 14 goals and 15 assists from 66 matches.
- Gustavo Bou – $2,675,000
Gustavo Bou is a veteran Argentine player who is currently 33 years old.
- Cucho Hernández – $2,886,000
Cucho Hernández is a Colombian striker who has been amazing for the Crew this season, with 10 goals from 22 matches.
- Jozy Altidore – $2,939,963
Despite just 1 goal for the Revolution this season, Jozy Altidore still remains one of the most expensive players in the MLS for nine seasons now.
- Hany Mukhtar -$3,188,750
Hany Mukhtar is the MLS MVP who has made over 100 appearances and scored 56 goals and 25 assists.
- Raúl Ruidíaz – $3,201,120
Raúl Ruidíaz is a Peruvian striker who has been solid for the Sounders, managing to score in big games. He has so far scored 75 goals in 127 games since 2018. He has also previously won an MLS Cup and CCL with the Rave Green.
- Nicolás Lodeiro – $3,256,667
Nicolás Lodeiro is a Uruguayan playmaker who remains a top player at his club despite aged 34. Lodeiro has previously won two MLS Cups and a CCL and is a Copa America winner. He ahs so far scored 57 goals and 60 assists in 205 games.
- Carlos Vela – $3,337,500
Carlos Vela is regarded as the best Mexican player to ever play in MLS with 85 goals and 49 assists in 155 games.
- Rodolfo Pizarro – $3,350,000
Rodolfo Pizarro recently returned to Inter Miami following a rumored tension with former DP Gonzalo Higuaín.
- Carles Gil – $3,545,833
Carles Gil is a Spanish international and a former league MVP who has 29 goals and 43 assists from 124 games for the Revs. He is the leader and brain behind the team.
- Lucas Zelarayán – $3,800,000
Lucas Zelarayán is highly regarded as one of the greatest signings in Columbus Crew history. Zelarayán has scored 35 goals and 20 assists in 95 games, and also has an MLS Cup championship. The Armenian international still has a lot to offer and is still only 30 years old.
- Josef Martínez – $4,391,66
Despite dwindling performances in recent years, Josef Martínez is still one of the highest paid players in the MLS. The Venezuelan Inter Miami striker is slowly recapturing his previous levels where he was one of the most feared MLS strikers.
- Christian Benteke – $4,432,778
Belgium international Christian Benteke has experienced a resurgence in form following DC United’s revitalized form under Wayne Rooney. Benteke currently has 6 goals from 18 games and leads the four-time champions in attack.
- Luiz Araújo – $4,483,333
Despite showing signs of inconsistency, Atlanta United midfielder Luiz Araújo is looking to make the most of his time at the club and has so far scored 12 goals and bagged 11 assists in 59 games.
- Douglas Costa – $4,508,333
32-year-old former Juventus player Douglas Costa has shown signs of brilliance but has failed to remain consistency and change the LA Galaxy’s fortunes, which has placed him in a controversial position among fans.
- Héctor Herrera – $5,246,875
Mexican international Héctor Herrera is a surprising name on the list given his age. He has so far scored only 2 goals in 20 games.
- Sebastián Driussi – $6,022,500
Argentine forward Sebastián Driussi has proven to be one of the best signings in the MLS. after joining Austin FC. He has so far scored 34 goals in 65 games.
- Federico Bernardeschi – $6,295,381
Federico Bernardeschi has been a standout player for a flaky Toronto FC side in the MLS. Bernardeschi has so far scored 11 goals in 27 league games and possesses elegance, decision-making, and great shooting potential.
- Javier Hernández – $7,443,750
Despite playing for the LA Galaxy, a franchise with no real clear direction, Javier Hernández has remained a star for the club with 39 goals in 77 games. Chicharito is clearly the face of the franchise at the moment.
- Lorenzo Insigne – $7,500,000
Former Napoli legend Lorenzo Insigne has proven to be the only spark for a very poor Toronto FC side. Owing to a lack of proper support from his team members, Insigne has scored only 8 goals in 19 matches.
- Xherdan Shaqiri – $8,153,000
Despite technically being the highest paid player in the MLS, Xherdan Shaqiri has been a huge disappointment. The Swiss international has scored only 7 goals in 36 matches. Moreover, his franchise, the Chicago Fire are a mess of a team with no clear direction moving forward.
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