• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

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 the only defender

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.

Including Zimmerman, only four players among the highest-paid are not forwards. Hector Herrera, a midfielder for the Dynamo, earns $4.75 million making him the second among midfielders. 

Herrera played in Europe for nine seasons, earning as much as $6.54 million a season with Atletico Madrid from 2019-2022.

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: December 18, 2024
RankPlayerPositionTeamTotal Compensation
1Lionel MessiForwardInter Miami$12 million
2Sergio BusquetsMidfielderInter Miami$8.5 million
3Lorenzo InsigneForwardToronto FC$7.5 million
4Emil ForsbergForwardNY Red Bulls$5.41 million
5Héctor HerreraMidfielderHouston Dynamo$4.75 million
6Sebastian DriussiForwardAustin$4.5 million
7Christian BentekeForwardDC United$4.25 million
T-8Carles GilForwardNew England Revolution$4 million
T-8Riqui PuigMidfielderLA Galaxy$4 million
10Hany MukhtarForwardNashville SC$3.8 million
11Alan PulidoForwardSporting KC$3.6 million
12Hugo CuypersForwardChicago Fire$3.24 million
T-13Walker ZimmermanDefenderNashville SC$3.2 million
T-13Teemu PukkiForwardMinnesota United$3.2 million
15Joseph PaintstilForwardLA Galaxy$3.14 million
16Federico BernadeschiForwardToronto FC$3.13 million
17Luciano AcostaForwardFC Cincinnati$2.96 million
18Denis BouangaForwardLA FC$2.92 million
19Ryan GauldForwardVancouver Whitecaps$2.88 million
20Luis MurielForwardOrlando City$2.83 million
21Olivier GiroudForwardLA FC$2.8 million
22Diego RossiForwardColumbus Crew$2.68 million
23Cucho HernandezForwardColumbus Crew$2.6 million
24Ezequiel PonceForwardHouston Dynamo$2.56 million
25Sam SurridgeForwardNashville SC$2.5 million

Related highest-paid lists:

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NWSL

NWSL Could Make Tens of Millions Selling New TV Games

Almost 200 games are up for grabs over the next two years.
Jul 27, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Wrexham AFC midfielder Sebastian Revan (53) celebrates scoring against Vancouver Whitecaps FC during the first half at BC Place.

Invest in International Soccer Clubs at Your Own (Relegation) Risk

Relegation is more common in Europe than the U.S.
Caledonian Braves

The Scottish Soccer Club With 9,000 Owners—Including NBA and NWSL Players

The Braves’ popularity exploded in the last 10 months.

ESPN Shutting LA SportsCenter Production, 35 Jobs Affected

The employees will have the option of moving to Bristol, CT.

Featured Today

Mar 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Creator Behind the LeBron ‘Glazing’ Trend Sweeping TikTok

FOS spoke to TikTok user OkaySpade who made the original song.
Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; McNeese State Cowboys manager Amir Khan before a second round men’s NCAA Tournament game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Amica Mutual Pavilion
April 1, 2025

Inside the 24-Hour NIL March Madness Deals

Some of the most viral partnerships come together overnight.
Seattle Kraken
April 1, 2025

Samantha Holloway Is Seattle’s NHL Present—and Hopeful NBA Future

Samantha Holloway is steering the Kraken and hoping to revive pro hoops.
Brehanna Daniels
March 31, 2025

NASCAR Pit Crew Member Brehanna Daniels Didn’t Know She’d Be a Trailblazer

The first Black female tire changer didn’t know she’d be a trailblazer.

This Year’s Masters Features Smallest LIV Golf Contingent Yet

There are 12 LIV players set to compete in Augusta.
March 31, 2025

WNBA Draft: Tourney Stars Face Tough Choices Amid CBA Uncertainty

Flau’Jae Johnson is still undecided.
Mar 30, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (28) reacts after a fight against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Target Center. Stewart was later ejected from the game.
April 1, 2025

NBA Lightly Suspends Five Players for Timberwolves-Pistons Brawl

The brawl came in a game where 12 technical fouls were issued.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Sponsored

Win. Advance. Repeat: The Professional Fighters League’s Rise to Prominence 

As of 2025, PFL has introduced a World Tournament format, where every fighter must battle through a high-stakes bracket to reach a championship.
Kendall Coyne Schofield
March 25, 2025

Kendall Coyne Schofield Wants More for the Next Wave of Mom-Athletes

The Walter Cup–winning Frost captain says small changes mean “everything.”
March 21, 2025

Tennis Turmoil: Grand Slams Reject Tours’ Proposal Amid Pay Dispute

The Grand Slams wish to create a “premium tour.”
March 21, 2025

Blue Jays CEO Says Guerrero Not Ohtani, but Confident He’ll Sign

Blue Jays CEO Mark Shapiro is optimistic about keeping the superstar.