NEW YORK RED BULLS VS. NEW YORK FC | MLS HIGHLIGHTS

 

TOP 5 HIGHEST-PAID MLS PLAYERS IN 2025: WHERE DOES MESSI STAND?

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.

- Mark Kinyanjui 

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.

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

'TOGETHER WE CAN DISCOVER WHAT IS POSSIBLE': JURGEN KLOPP TAKES NEW JOB

Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will take up the role at Red Bull in January

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he “could not be more excited” after he was appointed Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull’s multi-club network.

Klopp, who left Liverpool in the summer after nine glorious years at the club, will start in January at the group, where he will oversee teams including RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg.

“After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not be more excited to get involved in a project like this,” he said.

“The role may have changed but my passion for football and the people who make the game what it is has not. 

“By joining Red Bull at a global level, I want to develop, improve and support the incredible football talent that we have at our disposal. 

“There are many ways that we can do this front using the elite knowledge and experience that Red Bull possesses to learning from other sports and other industries. Together we can discover what is possible. 

“I see my role primarily as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs but ultimately, I am one part of an organisation that is unique, innovative and forward looking.”

Red Bull, bankrolled by its energy drink business, has pioneered the multi-club model that has since been further developed by City Football Group and others.

Besides their German and Austrian teams, they also own New York Red Bulls and two clubs in Brazil, and this year took a minority stake in Leeds United.

Red Bull clubs are known for their canny identification of young talent, player development and a high-energy playing style that shares similarities with Klopp’s favoured tactics.

While Klopp, 57, appears to have left management behind, he is reported to have a clause in his contract allowing to leave if offered the German national team job.

“We are very proud of this outstanding and certainly the strongest signing in Red Bull’s soccer history,” said Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO Corporate Projects and Investments at Red Bull.

“Jurgen Klopp is one of the greatest and most influential figures in world soccer, with extraordinary skills and charisma. 

“In his role as Head of Soccer, he will be a game changer for our involvement in international soccer and its continued development. 

“We are hoping for valuable and decisive impulses in key areas to make the clubs even better, both collectively and individually.”

- Frank Dalleres

INTER MIAMI'S MESSI SETS TWO RECORDS, INCLUDING 5-ASSIST GAME

After his record-setting game against New York Red Bulls, Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has 10 goals and 12 assists in just eight games played this season. Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

 Lionel Messi set the Major League Soccer record for most goal contributions and assists in a single match during Inter Miami CF's triumphant 6-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Messi's six goal contributions and five assists in a game set MLS records. He has now scored and assisted in six consecutive league matches.

"All [goals] were fundamental to the game, but Leo did something historic tonight with five assists and one goal," Inter Miami coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino said.

"But I can't forget Suarez's three goals and Rojas' two goals. The first, well both, but the first Rojas goal was amazing. But because of the technical aspect of Leo on the assist I will choose Luis Suárez's scissor goal as my favorite."

Suárez had three goals and Matías Rojas scored twice as Inter Miami got six unanswered goals to come back from a 1-0 deficit at halftime.

Messi and Suárez now have a league-leading 10 goals each, and the Argentina star also leads MLS in assists with 12.

"It's easier with Leo. Obviously we know each other, and sometimes you'll notice we know where the other is and do movements without having to look at one another. It's good for the team," Suárez said.

Martino and Messi boast a long history together, coinciding at Barcelona and playing against each other while the Herons coach led the national teams of Paraguay and Mexico. Even with years of experience watching Messi, Martino maintains the forward's performance against the Red Bulls will be difficult to witness again.

"Messi had exceptional games in Barcelona, during my time with him," he said. "But I also remember a semifinal with Paraguay in the Copa America in Chile, where he didn't score a goal and he was still the best player on the field. In Barcelona, he had a game against Valencia where we were losing 2-0 and then won 3-2 with three goals from him. And there was another against Sevilla where we were losing 1-0 and then he scored three goals and we won 4-1. I always say this, and it's redundant at this point, but he always does something new. To have involvement in all six goals of a team's 6-2 is something that will be difficult to see again."

Messi has quickly become an integral part of Inter Miami's success. Since he debuted with the Herons in July 2023, Inter Miami is 2-4-6 (WDL) when he does not play and 15-7-3 when he is on the pitch across all competitions.

"He's not the key component just because of this game. He always is. Today, the association between Messi and Luis in the second half worked well, like old times. When they find each other, the team is able to back them up in the game, and when we find space, they are very influential in the game," Martino added.

Miami continues to lead the Eastern Conference table with 24 points in 12 games.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

MLS PLAYER FORCIBLY REMOVED FROM OFFICIALS' LOCKER ROOM - REFEREES' BODY

USA TODAY Sports 

Major League Soccer (MLS) is investigating an alleged incident in which a player was forcibly removed from the match officials' locker room after a game last week between the New York Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati, the league said on Tuesday.

Cincinnati beat New York at Red Bull Arena in a penalty shootout on Saturday, advancing to the semi-finals of the MLS Playoffs.

NEW YORK RED BULLS VS. ATLANTA UNITED FC | MLS ACTION