Highest Paid MLS Players 2023: Million-Dollar Footwork
by Surya
Updated Apr 18, 2023
Highest Paid MLS Players 2023
One way to earn a significant income in professional soccer is through playing in Major League Soccer (MLS), which has a reputation for offering high salaries and lucrative contracts to players from various parts of the world. Although winning championships and trophies is a major goal for many players, the potential for substantial financial compensation is a major attraction to MLS. In this regard, we can look at the current highest paid MLS players for the year 2023 to see who is currently earning the most money in the league.
While MLS is known for attracting young and promising players, this list of highest paid players highlights those who are currently commanding the highest salaries and contract bonuses in the league. These players have established themselves as star athletes, and are being rewarded for their exceptional skills and abilities on the field. They are also likely to be in high demand by teams looking to boost their roster, further driving up their earning potential.
In conclusion, while winning trophies and championships is undoubtedly a top priority for many professional soccer players, the financial rewards of playing in Major League Soccer cannot be ignored. The highest paid MLS players for 2023 are a testament to the league's commitment to investing in top talent and building a competitive and lucrative professional soccer environment.
Top 10 Highest Paid Players in the MLS 2023
1
Lorenzo Insigne
2
Xherdan Shaqiri
3
Federico Bernardeschi
4
Chicharito
5
Héctor Herrera
6
Facundo Torres
7
Christian Benteke
8
Carlos Vela
9
Luiz Araujo
10
Lucas Zelarayan
S.No
MLS Players
1. Lorenzo Insigne, Toronto FC
It's not surprising that the Serie A superstar and Napoli legend, who now resides in Toronto, is at the top of the list of the highest-paid MLS players in 2023. His salary of £12,168,000 is objectively a lot of money, almost equal to the combined earnings of the players ranked second and third on the list.
His high pay is most likely due to his exceptional performance in Serie A, which has not declined, and his relatively young age of 31. Additionally, his status as an Italian full international brings significant media attention and coverage to the club. As he is the highest-earning player in Major League Soccer, the Toronto FC board is likely to prioritize building the team's future around him and expect quick success given the amount of money they are investing.
2. Xherdan Shaqiri, Chicago Fire
Typically, former Premier League players are among the highest-paid MLS players in 2023. Xherdan Shaqiri, who played for Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Inter Milan, earns a crisp £7,072,000 annually. Despite playing a major role in the Swiss national team and featuring in the 2022 World Cup, his Chicago Fire teammates were not at the same level as him. Although Shaqiri delivered the same level of quality he's known for, his team did not make the playoffs. It remains to be seen if the club needs to invest more to raise their level or if Shaqiri's influence will take effect in 2023, but it appears to be a costly luxury to have him on the team.
3. Federico Bernardeschi, Toronto FC
Comparing it to the 1969 heist movie of the same name, the situation in Toronto involving Federico Bernardeschi is not as dramatic. However, the Italian midfielder may hold Toronto FC accountable if the team fails to win any major trophies soon at BMO Field.
Despite earning £5,460,000 annually, which is less than Insigne's salary, Bernardeschi is still a significant player in Bob Bradley's system. The former Juventus player is expected to play a vital role in the team's success and must perform to a high standard. If the team falls short of their expectations, Bernardeschi may feel justified in demanding changes or even threaten to leave the team. As a result, Toronto FC will need to make sure they achieve their goals and keep Bernardeschi satisfied to avoid losing a valuable asset.
4. Chicharito, LA Galaxy
Javier Hernandez, who was once the highest-earning player in MLS, is no longer among the top three earners, with other teams investing more heavily in their players. Despite still earning a significant salary of £5,200,000 per season, the LA Galaxy striker has fallen behind other players in terms of earnings.
Hernandez, a former Manchester United player, has been a reliable scorer for the Galaxy, with 15+ goals in each of the last two seasons. However, the team has not won any major trophies during his time there.
Although not entirely his fault, Hernandez's high salary may not be great value for the club, given that the team has not made the postseason in the last two years. If he wishes to maintain this level of income, the Mexican player must motivate the team and lead them to at least a playoff run in 2023.
5. Héctor Herrera, Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo has a reputation for not spending extravagantly on foreign players and instead relying on homegrown talent. The club's biggest names, such as Brad Davis, Geoff Cameron, and Ricardo Clark, have all been American.
However, Hector Herrera, a 32-year-old Mexican international midfielder, deviates from this trend with a contract worth £4,628,000 per year. Despite not having a successful start to his MLS career, his contract was extended until the end of the 2024 season.
Since joining the club in the summer of 2022, Herrera has played in only 10 matches and has yet to score a goal. He has, however, been given the captain's armband, indicating that the franchise believes he will prove himself to be a valuable asset to the team in due time.
6. Facundo Torres, Orlando City
Facundo Torres has been linked with a potential move to Arsenal during the winter transfer window, but he has not made any comments about the speculation. Instead, the Uruguayan midfielder appears to be more interested in following his childhood club, Penarol, in Uruguay. He has expressed a desire to visit the team's stadium as often as his obligations with Orlando SC allow.
Although his annual salary of £5,200,000 could cover his travel expenses, it seems that money is not his primary motivation. Rather, he is focused on helping Orlando SC reach the top of Major League Soccer, and supporters believe that he has the potential to win the MVP award. Even if Arsenal were to match his salary, it appears that Torres is committed to his current team and their goals for success.
7. Christian Benteke, D.C. United
Although he didn't join the league as a new player this season, Benteke is hoping for a fresh start in 2023 to prove his worth and justify his reported annual salary of £3,744,000. As a former striker for Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Crystal Palace, he brings experience and a track record of success to the D.C. United team. However, the club's accounting department may need to take a closer look at his contract as he has not yet provided significant value since his arrival in August 2022. In seven MLS appearances, he has only managed to score one goal in a 3-2 defeat to Inter Miami.
8. Carlos Vela, LAFC
Carlos Vela is undoubtedly deserving of his status as one of the highest-paid players in the MLS for 2023, given his contributions not only to Los Angeles FC but also to the league as a whole. The former Mexican international forward has earned numerous individual awards, including the MVP award, Golden Boot, and Best MLS Player ESPY Award, an accolade won by legendary players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Villa, and David Beckham. Therefore, it's not surprising that he receives an annual salary of £3,640,000, considering his consistent goal threat for the reigning champions.
Given Vela's achievements and impact on the team, he could potentially negotiate for a pay rise, especially when compared to the salaries of some Toronto FC players. Even if he were ever to fall on hard times (unlikely), he could easily justify a higher salary based on his accomplishments in the Major League Soccer.
9. Luiz Araujo, Atlanta United
Luiz Araujo, who was instrumental in Lille's Ligue 1 triumph in France, has now moved to Atlanta United to make some good money. The Brazilian forward is earning an annual salary of £3,432,000, which is a significant amount of money for any player.
Despite his team's poor defensive performances, Araujo started the 2023 preseason with a bang by scoring two goals in Atlanta United's 3-3 draw with Chattanooga FC. His performance showed that he is justifying his salary and proving to be a valuable asset to the team. As a player, Araujo is known for his ability to play on both flanks, his impressive speed, and his finishing skills. He has also represented Brazil at the U-17 and U-20 levels. His move to Atlanta United was seen as a significant coup for the club, as he is expected to provide the team with the much-needed attacking firepower.
10. Lucas Zelarayan, Columbus Crew
Lucas Zelarayan, an Armenian international who was born in Argentina, might not be a big name in households, but he's one of the highest-paid MLS players. The attacking midfielder proved to be one of the most thrilling aspects of the Columbus Crew team in 2022, which justifies his annual contract of £3,224,000.
Although the 2023 season should be another exciting one at Lower.com Field, the statistical value of Zelarayan's contract for the franchise is reduced this year. Columbus will not participate in the CONCACAF Champions League, giving him fewer opportunities to demonstrate his worth.
Who is the MLS Highest Paid Player in the World 2023?
The highest-paid player in the MLS in 2023 is Alejandro Pozuelo of Toronto FC, with an annual salary of £7,028,000. MLS stands for Major League Soccer, which is a men's professional soccer league in North America. It was founded in 1993 and began play in 1996 with ten teams. Currently, the league has 27 teams, with 24 in the United States and 3 in Canada. The season runs from March to December, with the MLS Cup Playoffs taking place at the end of the regular season. The league has been growing in popularity in recent years and has attracted high-profile players from around the world, including David Beckham, Thierry Henry, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. It is worth noting that MLS has been steadily increasing its financial investment in the league and its players, with the aim of attracting more top-level talent and elevating the league's global profile. As a result, the league has become an attractive destination for international players seeking to expand their careers and earning potential.
Major League Soccer (MLS) is the highest level of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. It was founded in 1993 and began playing its first season in 1996. The league has since expanded to 28 teams, with new clubs being added regularly. Currently, as per franchisesports reports, Lorenzo Insigne is the highest-earning player in Major League Soccer.
Top 10 Highest Paid Players in the MLS 2023 - FAQs
The highest-paid player in the MLS in 2023 is Alejandro Pozuelo of Toronto FC, with an annual salary of £7,028,000.
Only three of the Top 10 highest-paid players in the MLS are from the United States: Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, and Bradley Wright-Phillips.
Toronto FC has the most players in the Top 10 highest-paid players in the MLS, with three players: Alejandro Pozuelo, Jozy Altidore, and Michael Bradley.
Six of the Top 10 highest-paid players in the MLS are forwards: Carlos Vela, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Gustavo Bou, Jozy Altidore, Hector Herrera, and Christian Benteke.
Yes, there have been players from outside of North America who have been in the Top 10 highest-paid players in the MLS, such as Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Vela.