Officially published
Lionel Messi is the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer history with a guaranteed annual salary of $20.5 million. This number was officially announced by the North American professional league as part of the “MLSPA salary guide”. The list includes all players who were under contract on September 15th.
Messi, Insigne, Shaqiri & Co.: The highest paid players in Major League Soccer
The guaranteed annual salary includes marketing bonuses and possible consultant fees, but not bonuses linked to performance, as there is no guarantee that the player will receive these. With that in mind, Messi’s salary is likely significantly higher than what was announced by the MLSPA. Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas told El País that Messi’s salary, which also includes a portion from the Apple TV contract, is between $50 million and $60 million. Messi has also reportedly signed sponsorship deals with ‘Fanatics’ and ‘Adidas’, which are not listed as part of the guaranteed compensation.
Since signing Messi, Inter Miami has become the club with the highest salary costs in the league. The Beckham club is in first place with $39.4 million, ahead of previous leaders Toronto FC ($32.3 million) and Los Angeles Galaxy ($25 million). Rounding out the top five are LAFC ($20.8 million) and Chicago Fire ($20.4 million). Of these five clubs, only Los Angeles FC has a chance of reaching the playoffs with one game remaining in the regular season.
MLSPA salary overview: Toronto FC misses playoffs despite top earners
Despite significant additions, Inter Miami found it difficult to reach the playoffs even after Messi’s arrival. Miami was in last place in the Eastern Conference and at least overtook Toronto FC in the table. Messi scored 10 goals in seven Leagues Cup games, helping Inter Miami win the title and qualify for next season’s CONCACAF Champions Cup.
At Toronto, Lorenzo Insigne is the second-highest paid player in the league with a guaranteed salary of $15.4 million, while Federico Bernardeschi is in fifth place with $6.3 million. Insigne has four goals and four assists in 19 MLS games, while Bernardeschi has five goals and two assists in 30 games. It remains to be seen whether both players will have a future under new head coach John Herdman.
While the deepest teams, with the exception of LAFC, are struggling, two teams outside the top 10 are dominating their respective conferences. In the Western Conference, St. Louis CITY SC is in first place despite spending just $11.1 million on player salaries – the third-lowest amount in the league. In addition to being at the top of the Eastern Conference, FC Cincinnati won the Supporters’ Shield, which is awarded to the team that finishes first in both conferences. With $13.4 million spent on salaries, the club has the ninth-lowest spending in the league.
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