The Ultimate MLS Earner, with Two Italians Ranking in the Top Five

Following his summer transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, Lionel Messi of Inter Miami is without a doubt the highest paid player in the North American league, according to the Major League Soccer Players’ Association (MLSPA) 2023 salary scale. There are two Italians in the top five, however the 2022 World Cup champion is ranked first.

Just behind Messi in terms of earnings, Toronto FC forward Lorenzo Insigne earns an annual net per season agreement of €14.5M, including bonuses, while the top earner takes home roughly €19.4M.

The top four are made up of Chicharito Hernandez and Xherdan Shaqiri, while Federico Bernardeschi, a former Juventus winger who currently plays for Toronto FC, rounds out the top five. The winner of EURO 2020 takes home about €6 million a year.

The twenty best paid individuals, excluding recently signed Los Angeles FC defender Giorgio Chiellini, make at least €2.5 million annually. A little over €1 million net salary is guaranteed for the Juventus icon each season.

Here is the top 20 list (in dollars):

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina, Inter Miami) $20,446,667
2. Lorenzo Insigne (Italy, Toronto) $15,400,000.
3. Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland, Chicago Fire) $8,153,000
4. Chicharito Hernandez (Mexico, LA Galaxy) $7,443,7505
5. Federico Bernardeschi (Italy, Toronto) $6,295,381
6. Sebastian Driussi (Argentina, Austin FC) $6,022,500
7. Héctor Herrera (Mexico, Houston Dynamo) $5,246. 875
8. Douglas Costa (Brazil, LA Galaxy) $4,508,333
9. Christian Benteke (RD Congo, DC United) $4,432,778
10. Josef Martinez (Venezuela, Inter Miami) $4,391,667
11. Carlos Vela (Mexico, LAFC) $4,383,900
12. Teemu Pukki (Finland, Minnesota United) $3,550,000
13. Carles Gil (Spain, New England Revolution) $3,545,833
14. Nicolas Lodeiro (Uruguay, Seattle Sounders) $3,256,667
15. Raul Ruidiaz (Peru, Seattle Sounders) $3,201,120
16. Hany Mukhtar (Germany, Nashville) $3,188,750
17. Jozy Altidore (United States, free. Until June 15 at New England) $2,939,963
18. Sam Surridge (England, Nashville) $2,907. 639
19. Cucho Hernandez (Colombia, Columbus Crew) $2,886,000
20. Diego Rossi (Uruguay, Columbus Crew) $2,677,000