The Rich List: These are the highest-paid players in MLS right now

MLS's biggest earners
1. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
$20,446,667
2. Lorenzo Insigne (Toronto FC)
$15,400,000
3. Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire)
$8,153,000
4. Javier Hernández or 'Chicharito' (LA Galaxy)
$7,443,750
5. Federico Bernardeschi (Toronto FC)
$6,295,381
6. Sebastián Driussi (Austin FC)
$6,022,500
7. Héctor Herrera (Houston Dynamo)
$5,246,875
8. Douglas Costa (LA Galaxy)
$4,508,333
9. Christian Benteke (D.C. United)
$4,432,778
10. Josef Martínez (Inter Miami)
$4,391,667
MLS's biggest earners

The MLS continues to grow, and so do player salaries in the league. Here are the 10 highest-paid players according to the MLS Players Association's 2023 salary guide.

1. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)

Not surprisingly, it is Inter Miami's Lionel Messi who tops the list.

$20,446,667

The Argentinian and former FC Barcelona star takes a guaranteed annual salary of $20,446,667.

2. Lorenzo Insigne (Toronto FC)

In second place is Lorenzo Insigne (Toronto FC).

$15,400,000

The Italian earns $15,400,000 per year guaranteed.

3. Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire)

The podium is rounded off by Xherdan Shaqiri, who now plays for Chicago Fire.

$8,153,000

The Swiss dribbler has to settle for almost half of Insigne's salary at $8,153,000.

4. Javier Hernández or 'Chicharito' (LA Galaxy)

In fourth place is Javier Hernandez or 'Chicharito' of the LA Galaxy.

$7,443,750

The Mexican striker has to settle for $7,443,750.

5. Federico Bernardeschi (Toronto FC)

That's still more than Toronto FC's Federico Bernardeschi in fifth place.

$6,295,381

The former Juventus player earns more than a $1 million less than Chicarito, with $6,295,381.

6. Sebastián Driussi (Austin FC)

Next up is Austin FC's Sebastián Driussi.

$6,022,500

The Argentinian makes slightly less than Bernardeschi, coming in at a guaranteed $6,022,500 a year.

7. Héctor Herrera (Houston Dynamo)

In seventh place is Héctor Herrera of the Houston Dynamo.

$5,246,875

The Mexican takes $5,246,875 a year guaranteed.

8. Douglas Costa (LA Galaxy)

In eighth place is another LA Galaxy player, Douglas Costa.

$4,508,333

The former Bayern Munich player earns $4,508,333 per year.

9. Christian Benteke (D.C. United)

Ninth is Christian Benteke (D.C. United).

$4,432,778

The Belgian pokcets slightly less than Douglas Costa, at $4,432,778 a year.

10. Josef Martínez (Inter Miami)

Rounding off the top 10 is Lionel Messi's team-mate Josef Martínez.

$4,391,667

The Venezuelan still earns an impressive $4,391,667 a year.

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