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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 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

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