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The 25 Highest-Paid MLS Players

  • Lionel Messi leads the way as the highest-paid MLS player of 2024.
  • Only four players among the top 25 highest-paid are not forwards.
Aug 23, 2023; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with teammates after defeating FC Cincinnati during penalty kicks at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world with some of the highest-paid athletes. Major League Soccer hasn’t had the highest-paid players historically, but it’s catching up to other leagues worldwide. 

Lionel Messi earns $12 million to remain the highest-paid MLS player.

The Argentine superstar made his grand entrance onto the MLS stage last Summer. Inter Miami and MLS haven’t looked back since, scoring record attendance and revenue since Messi’s arrival. 

Messi’s teammate at Inter Miami, Sergio Busquets, earns $8.5 million for second. The former Barcelona player signed a 2-year, $17 million deal a day after Messi.

He earned only $1.5 million in his first season, but that jumped up to $8.5 million this year. However, the defensive midfielder is still earning less than he had when he was making over $26 million a year in his heyday with Barcelona.

Rounding out the top 25, Walker Zimmerman is a unicorn among the highest-paid MLS players. He’s the only American to feature among the highest-paid, earning $3.2 million, and one of only 2 defenders. 

The 31-year-old central defender was earning $975K before he signed an extension in 2022 with Nashville SC. Zimmerman has earned $11.2 million in his career, starting in Dallas in 2013 where he earned $75K in his first season.

Only four of the highest-paid players are not forwards, including Zimmerman. Riqui Puig, a Galaxy midfielder, earns $4 million, making him the second highest-paid midfielder. 

Ranking the Highest Paid Major League Soccer Players

Here is the list of the top 25 highest-paid MLS players, based on data from Capology.

  • Updated: April 15, 2025
RankPlayerPositionTeamTotal Compensation
1Lionel MessiForwardInter Miami$12 million
2Sergio BusquetsMidfielderInter Miami$8.5 million
3Lorenzo InsigneForwardToronto FC$7.5 million
4Emil ForsbergForwardNY Red Bulls$5.4 million
5Christian BentekeForwardDC United$4.25 million
T-6Carles GilForwardNew England Revolution$4 million
T-6Riqui PuigMidfielderLA Galaxy$4 million
8Hany MukhtarForwardNashville SC$3.8 million
9Hugo CuypersForwardChicago Fire$3.24 million
10Walker ZimmermanDefenderNashville SC$3.2 million
11Joseph PaintstilForwardLA Galaxy$3.14 million
12Federico BernadeschiForwardToronto FC$3.13 million
13Denis BouangaForwardLA FC$2.92 million
14Ryan GauldForwardVancouver Whitecaps$2.88 million
15Luis MurielForwardOrlando City$2.83 million
16Olivier GiroudForwardLA FC$2.8 million
17Diego RossiForwardColumbus Crew$2.68 million
18Ezequiel PonceForwardHouston Dynamo$2.56 million
19Sam SurridgeForwardNashville SC$2.5 million
20Aleksey MiranchukForwardAtlanta United$2.4 million
21Liel Abada ForwardCharlotte FC$2.3 million
22Albert RusnakForwardSeattle Sounders$2.2 million
23Thiago MartinsDefenderNYCFC$2 million
24Pep BielForwardCharlotte FC$1.96 million
25Kevin CabralForwardColorado Rapids$1.95 million

Related highest-paid lists:

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