Major League Soccer (MLS) has undergone an impressive growth since its inception in 1993. As the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada, MLS is not only a place for young players from North America to showcase their talents, but also a destination for many international stars. Although it cannot be compared financially with the top European leagues, the salaries of MLS players are still remarkable, especially when considering the strong growth of the league in recent years. So how much does a MLS player make? Let’s find out with Bestsoccertips.
How much does a MLS player make a year?
How much does a MLS soccer player make? MLS player salaries vary greatly, depending on ability, experience, and position on the team. Although MLS does not have as high salaries as top European leagues such as the Premier League or La Liga, there are still some players who earn very attractive salaries.
Average salary
According to reports from sports sources, the average salary of an MLS player in 2024 is around $400,000 per year. However, this salary is just an average and can vary greatly depending on many factors.
Highest salary
MLS players can earn a huge income if they are prominent stars in the league. For example, in 2024, striker Gonzalo Higuaín, who plays for Inter Miami, received a salary of about $5.79 million per year. In addition, David Beckham, the founder of Inter Miami, earned a huge income during his years playing in MLS.
Salary regulations
MLS has a salary regulation system to keep player income at a reasonable level. One of the important factors is the “Salary Cap”, which stipulates that the total salary of each team cannot exceed a certain amount. However, the league also applies exceptions, such as the Designated Player Rule, which allows teams to recruit players with salaries exceeding this limit without affecting the Salary Cap.
Salary of new players
Players who are new to MLS, especially those who do not have international experience or are not stars, will often receive lower salaries. Salaries for young or Non-Designated Players can range from $60,000 to $150,000 per year.
Other income for MLS players
In addition to salary, MLS players earn income from many other sources:
Advertising Contracts
Famous players like Lionel Messi, while playing for Inter Miami, can receive a huge income from advertising and sponsorship contracts. Big brands like Adidas, Nike, Coca-Cola and many other companies are willing to pay to cooperate with famous players.
Bonuses and Rewards
MLS players can also earn extra money through bonuses for individual or team achievements. Rewards for outstanding players, scoring goals or winning titles are a big part of their income.
Other income
In addition to salary and advertising income, players can also earn money from personal contracts, including speaking engagements, television shows, and other sporting events.
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Player salaries compared to other leagues
Compared to top leagues such as the Premier League, Serie A or La Liga, the salaries of players in MLS (Major League Soccer) are much lower. Players playing in the Premier League, Serie A or La Liga can earn millions of dollars per year, with an average salary exceeding $4 million, and even top stars receive salaries of up to tens of millions of dollars per season. This reflects the huge difference in finance and attraction of top leagues compared to MLS.
However, although the salaries in MLS cannot be compared to the world’s top leagues, this tournament still attracts a large number of famous players. In particular, MLS is a favorite destination for stars who are at the end of their careers, who want to experience a new and more relaxing playing environment in North America. With its financially strong teams and growing infrastructure, MLS has become an attractive option for players looking to spend the final years of their careers in a different environment.
Who is the highest paid player in MLS?
- Lionel Messi – Inter Miami: $20 million
- Lorenzo Insigne – Toronto FC: $12 million
- Sergio Busquets – Inter Miami: $8.77 million
- Sebastián Driussi – Austin FC: $6.72 million
- Federico Bernardeschi – Toronto FC: $6.3 million
- Emil Forsberg – New York Red Bulls: $6.03 million
- Héctor Herrera – Houston Dynamo: $5.24 million
- Hany Mukhtar – Nashville SC: $5.21 million
- Christian Benteke – DC United: $4.69 million
- Riqui Puig – LA Galaxy: $4.64 million
Topping the list is Lionel Messi, a global football icon, with an income that is far superior to the rest. They are followed by big names like Lorenzo Insigne and Sergio Busquets, demonstrating the appeal of MLS in attracting international stars.
Final Thoughts
Here is some information about how much does a MLS player make? Although the average salary of an MLS player cannot be compared to the top European leagues, there are still many players who earn a very attractive income thanks to high-profile contracts and advertising revenue. International stars and outstanding players such as Gonzalo Higuaín or Lionel Messi can still earn millions of dollars each year, making MLS an increasingly growing and attractive tournament for both players and fans.
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