Sunday, 17 August 2025
Saturday, 5 April 2025
TOP 5 HIGHEST-PAID MLS PLAYERS IN 2025: WHERE DOES MESSI STAND?
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Ever since former Manchester United great David Beckham moved to the United States by signing for LA Galaxy in 2007, the country’s Major League Soccer has been perceived differently.
Whereas soccer superstars would traditionally opt to see out their careers in lesser profile teams in Asia or even Europe, they now started seeing the United States as a good retirement place, as well as to give them a great platform to prepare for life after retirement.
In 2023, Lionel Messi joined a long list of football stars who had previously played for some of Europe’s elite clubs but chose to move to the United States at the twilight of their careers.
Unsurprisingly, he is one of the highest earners in the league. But where exactly does he rank among the five highest-earning players based in that country?
Pulse Sports brings you a detailed and fact-checked listicle on the Top 5 Highest-Paid MLS Players in 2025, showcasing the financial allure of Major League Soccer and its ability to attract global stars:"
5 Emil Forsberg (New York Red Bulls)
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| Leipzig's Swedish midfielder Emil Forsberg (L) has signed a three-year contract extension Emil Forsberg joined New York Red Bulls in 2024. Image || FILE |
After a successful career in Europe with RB Leipzig, Emil Forsberg joined the New York Red Bulls in 2024.
His creative midfield play and knack for scoring crucial goals have made him a standout performer.
According to a list released by MLS in 2024, Forsberg earns a reported $6,035,625.00 a year for his contributions in helping New York achieve their targets.
4. Federico Bernardeschi (FC Toronto)
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| Federico Bernardeschi joined Toronto in 2022. Image || MLS |
Fourth on our list is Euro 2020 winner Federico Bernardeschi, who joined FC Toronto in 2022 after a five-year spell in Turin.
A quick, strong, creative, technically gifted, and hard-working player, Bernadeschi joined as a designated player on a four-year contract; he reunited with Italian compatriots Lorenzo Insigne (more on him later) and Domenico Criscito.
He has scored 22 goals in 79 league appearances for the side, showing his importance to the side, and why he is on his salary package.
The former Juventus forward earns an estimated $6,295,381.00 annually.
3. Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami FC)
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| Inter Miami announce Sergio Busquets Inter Miami when they announced Sergio Busquets' arrival in 2023. Image || Inter Miami |
The first of two Barcelona academy products on the list, Sergio Busquets is considered one of the greatest deep lying playmakers of all time given the influence he has had in helping both his former employers and the Spain national team dominate games.
Busquets brings his world-class midfield expertise to the MLS. His presence has strengthened the team's core, and his earnings highlight his value to the club.
He helped the side win the MLS Eastern Conference title in 2024, but they were knocked out of the playoffs at the quarter-final stage. Regardless, his brand has helped elevate the status of Inter Miami, and as a result, his $8,774,996.00 annual earnings justify that.
2. Lorenzo Insigne (Toronto FC)
"The Italian winger remains a key figure for Toronto FC, both on and off the pitch. Insigne's technical brilliance and leadership have made him indispensable to his team.
After a 13-year spell for his boyhood club Napoli, a period in which he was able to represent his country at the 2014 World Cup, as well as the 2016 and 2020 UEFA European Championships (winning the latter), he opted to move to Canada.
Now, the winger earns a mammoth $15,400,000.00, and his salary reflects his status as one of the league's marquee players.
1. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
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| Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi | Credit: Imago Lionel Messi is the MLS' highest paid player. Image || FILE |
Unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi tops the list as the highest-earning MLS player.
His move to Inter Miami in 2023 not only elevated the league's profile but also set new benchmarks for player earnings.
Messi's contract includes lucrative revenue-sharing agreements with global brands like Apple and Adidas, making his financial package even more impressive. At 37, Messi continues to dazzle fans with his playmaking and goal-scoring abilities, proving that age is just a number.
While most players, including Messi’s arch-nemesis Cristiano Ronalo are now being attracted by the allure of Saudi Arabia, the MLS is still an attractive league for players who wish to elevate their profile and earnings in the twilights of their careers.
As MLS continues to expand and evolve, the salaries of its top players reflect the league's ambition to compete with the world's best.
Sunday, 8 December 2024
LA GALAXY BEAT NEW YORK RED BULLS TO WIN 6TH MLS CUP
CARSON, California -- Goals from Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic extended the LA Galaxy's league-leading tally of MLS Cup titles to six with a 2-1 victory over the visiting New York Red Bulls.
Held at a sold-out Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday, the championship match quickly hit the ground running for the home side. Following a rapid buildup in the ninth minute from a Galaxy side that was missing injured star player Riqui Puig, midfielder Gastón Brugman played a through ball to Paintsil, who made it 1-0 after slotting the ball past Red Bulls keeper Carlos Coronel.
The Galaxy then quickly doubled their lead after Marky Delgado won back possession in the 13th minute and gave Joveljic the chance to pick up a pass, run forward and sneak a shot past Coronel to make it 2-0.
The Red Bulls eventually cut into the deficit with their first attempt of the match. After a chaotic sequence in the box following a corner, the Red Bulls were given a lifeline through a 28th minute goal from defender Sean Nealis.
Despite allowing the goal, the Galaxy held on through a more timid second half.
Eager to hold onto the scoreline, the home side sat back and invited pressure from the Red Bulls, who rarely tested goalkeeper John McCarthy. Although the Galaxy failed to capitalize on a few opportunities of their own in the final stages, their two goals from the first half were enough to cement a 2-1 win by the final whistle.
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| LA Galaxy players celebrate after beating the New York Red Bulls to win MLS Cup. |
The Galaxy, who now have a two-championship cushion over four-time winners D.C. United, ended a title drought that extended back to 2014. The Red Bulls, formerly known as the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, remain one of three original clubs to have never won an MLS Cup alongside the New England Revolution and FC Dallas.
The Galaxy finished 17-0-3 this season at their frequently renamed suburban stadium, where the sellout crowd of 26,812 for the final included several robust cheering sections of traveling Red Bulls supporters hoping to see their New Jersey-based club's breakthrough on the biggest stage in MLS.
The Galaxy's Greg Vanney became the fourth coach to win an MLS title with two clubs. The former Galaxy player also won it all with Toronto in 2017.
However, Vanney had previously lost three MLS Cup finals with LA as a player between 1996 and 2001. Entering this season, the Galaxy had only reached the postseason once under Vanney since he took over in 2021.
"I fell on my face three times as a player," Vanney said. "So finally to come back to the club that is home for me, I'm just, I'm proud. And I'm grateful for my family who puts up with me and my immersion in this project. I'm just really excited."
One of the players who filled in for Puig was Gastón Brugman, whose effort in the final earned him MVP honors.
"This is an amazing day," Brugman said. "I waited for this moment a lot of time. And I'm really happy for the fans, for Riqui, for the club, for us. It's an amazing day."
The club famous for employing global stars from David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Robbie Keane and Javier "Chicharito" Hernández rebuilt itself this season with lesser-known young talents from around the world.
The Galaxy signed Pec from Brazil and the Ghanaian Paintsil out of Belgium, and the duo combined with incumbent Serbian striker Joveljic to form a potent attack that could outscore almost any MLS opponent.
But the Galaxy also relied heavily on Puig, their Catalan catalyst and one of the best players in MLS. Puig stayed in last week's game after injuring his knee, and he even delivered the decisive pass to Joveljic for the game's only goal.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.
Game Information
Dignity Health Sports Park
12:00 AM, December 8, 2024
Coverage: FOX/MLS Season Pass
Carson, California, USA
Line: LA -0.5
Over/Under: 2.5
Attendance: 26,812
Referees: Guido Gonzales Jr.
- Cesar Hernandez
Monday, 17 July 2023
Sunday, 30 October 2022
Saturday, 22 October 2022
Monday, 26 September 2022
Sunday, 18 September 2022
Saturday, 17 September 2022
Friday, 8 July 2022
Thursday, 30 June 2022
Sunday, 6 March 2022
Thursday, 9 March 2017
Friday, 20 May 2016
MLS: KAKA AONGOZA KUWA MCHEZAJI ANAYEPATA PESA NYINGI MAREKANI WAMO GERRARD NA LAMPARD
Steve Gerrard na Frank Lampard wako kati wa wachezaji 5 wanaolipwa pesa nyingi kwenye ligi ya MLS...Mchezaji wa zamani wa Real Madrid, Kaka, anaongoza kwa kupata kipato kikubwa kuliko wote...Gerrard mwenye umri wa miaka 35 analipwa na LA Galaxy $6,132,500 (£4,199,313) na mwenzake Lampard anapipwa na New York City $6,000,000 (£4,108,660)...Aliyewahi kuwa mchezaji bora duniani, Kaka, anachukua $7,168,500 (£4,908,660) kutoka Orlando City...Bofya hapa upate habari zaidi.
Monday, 2 May 2016
MLS: ASHLEY COLE ATOLEWA NJE KWA KADI NDANI YA SEKUNDE 32
Ashley Cole mchezaji wa zamani wa Arsenal na Chelsea akitokea nje kwa 2 za njano ndani ya sekunde 32 kwenye mechi ya MLS katika ya LA Galaxy na Sporting Kansas...Mechi hiyo ilimalizika 1-1...Kisa change kadi ya kwanza ni kupoteza muda wakati wa kurusha mpira uliotoka na kadi ya 2 ya njano alipomkwatua Benny Feihaber...Bofya hapa upate habari zaidi.