Showing posts with label Sergio Busquets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sergio Busquets. Show all posts
Monday, 1 December 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.
Friday, 13 September 2024
Friday, 17 May 2024
INTER MIAMI MESSI TOPS MLS HIGHEST-PAID LIST AT $20.4M
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| Getty Images/Ringer illustration |
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi is Major League Soccer's highest-paid player with a total guaranteed compensation of $20.45 million, according to data released by the MLS Players Association.
The amount reflects just the playing portion of Messi's compensation, with the Argentine also set to benefit from other revenue streams such as his endorsement deal with Adidas and a revenue-sharing agreement with league broadcast partner Apple.
According to Sportico, Messi stands to earn up to $150 million over the life of the 2½-year contract he signed with Miami and MLS last year.
Toronto FC forward Lorenzo Insigne ranked second with a guaranteed compensation of $15.44 million, followed by Messi's Inter Miami teammate Sergio Busquets at $8.77 million.
Chicago Fire forward Xherdan Shaqiri, the league's top earner at this time a year ago, is in fourth position at $8.15 million followed by Austin FC forward Sebastián Driussi at $6.72 million.
The salary numbers from the MLSPA are as of April 25, 2024.
The extent of Miami's spending spree is borne out when one looks at the total guaranteed compensation per team.
The Herons checked in at a staggering $41.68 million, which is not only a league record, but more than double the amount of all but three other teams.
Toronto's outlay is $31.41 million, followed by Chicago at $25.13 million, Nashville SC at $21.4 million and FC Cincinnati -- last year's Supporters' Shield winners -- at $18.71 million.
Reigning MLS Cup holders the Columbus Crew rank 21st with a payroll of $15.19 million, while St. Louis City ($11.79 million) and CF Montréal ($12.05 million) have the lowest payrolls.
The average guaranteed compensation for the entire player pool is $594,390, up 12.4% from the spring, 2023 mark of $528,984.
In a sign of how top-heavy the league's salaries have become, the median salary rose just 4.8% from $294,500 this time a year ago to $308,750 now. All told, 115 players have a guaranteed compensation of at least $1 million.
MLS and the MLSPA are in the fourth year of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that was agreed upon in February 2021. The current CBA runs through the end of the 2027 season.
Here is the total guaranteed compensation per team:
1. Inter Miami - $41.68 million
2. Toronto FC - $31.41 million
3. Chicago Fire - $25.13 million
4. Nashville SC - $21.4 million
5. FC Cincinnati - $18.71 million
6. Austin FC - $18.41 million
7. New England Revolution - $18.32 million
8. LA Galaxy - $17.93 million
9. New York Red Bulls - $17.11 million
10. Houston Dynamo - $16.77 million
11. Atlanta United - $16.66 million
12. Seattle Sounders - $16.58 million
13. New York City FC - $16.54 million
14. Colorado Rapids - $16.33 million
15. FC Dallas - $16.23 million
16. D.C. United - $16.17 million
17. LAFC - $15.9 million
18. Sporting Kansas City - $15.87 million
19. Portland Timbers - $15.37 million
20. Vancouver Whitecaps - $15.2 million
21. Columbus Crew - $15.19 million
22. Orlando City - $15.07 million
23. Minnesota United - $14.91 million
24. Philadelphia Union - $14.82 million
25. Charlotte FC - $14.53 million
26. San Jose Earthquakes - $13.63 million
27. Real Salt Lake - $13.6 million
28. CF Montréal - $12.05 million
29. St. Louis City - $11.79 million
- Jeff Carlisle, U.S. soccer correspondent
Sunday, 4 June 2023
Saturday, 29 July 2017
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