Messi Highest MLS Earner, Two Italians in Top Five

The Major League Soccer Players’ Association (MLSPA) has released its 2023 salary guide, with Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi undoubtedly the top earner in the North American league, following his move from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

While the 2022 World Cup winner takes the top spot, the top five also includes two Italians.

Toronto FC forward Lorenzo Insigne lags just behind Messi, bagging an annual €14.5M net per season deal, including bonuses, in contrast to the top earner who pockets approximately €19.4M.

Xherdan Shaqiri and Chicharito Hernandez make up the top four, and ex-Juventus winger Federico Bernardeschi, who also plays for Toronto FC, completes the top five. The EURO 2020 winner bags approximately €6M per annum.

The top 20 highest earners pocket more than €2.5M at the least, thus excluding newly-signed Los Angeles FC defender Giorgio Chiellini. The Juventus icon is guaranteed a salary of just over €1M net per season.

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