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The latest Salary Guide has been released by the MLS Players Association (MLSPA), revealing the highest paid MLS players 2023. There could be a change when the Secondary Transfer Window opens from July 5 to Aug. 2, but for now 31-year-old Xherdan Shaqiri has reclaimed the top spot after Lorenzo Insigne's record 2022 salary of $14 million was almost cut in half (the Italian has scored seven goals and provided two assists in 17 all-time league appearances).
Shaqiri's stats in MLS have been even less impressive: seven goals and seven assists in 36 appearances for the Chicago Fire. There are plenty of cautionary tales here with the LA Galaxy (look at Douglas Costa!), Toronto and Chicago all near the bottom of the 2023 Supporters' Shield Standings.
In terms of great value, Hany Mukhtar — the 2022 MVP and off to another great start this year — is only the 17th highest-paid player in the league. He comes in right above Jozy Altidore, who's managed just seven goals over the last four years.
LAFC's Denis Bouanga, currently leading the Golden Boot race, just misses out on the top 25 with a guaranteed salary of $2,083,333. 38-year-old Giorgio Chiellini is making $1,075,000, which is less than defensive partner Aaron Long ($1,243,056).
Walker Zimmerman is the highest-paid USMNT star in MLS at $2,056,979. Jesús Ferreira is FC Dallas' highest earner with compensation of $1,852,000.
The average salary across the league rose 3.1% to $473,000.
Highest paid MLS players 2023 (as of April 30)
#1. Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire) — $8,153,000
#2. Lorenzo Insigne (Toronto FC) — $7,500,000
#3. Chicharito (LA Galaxy) — $7,443,750
#4. Federico Bernardeschi (Toronto FC) — $6,295,381
#5. Sebastián Driussi (Austin FC) — $6,022,500
#6. Héctor Herrera (Houston Dynamo) — $5,246,875
#7. Douglas Costa (LA Galaxy) — $4,508,333
#8. Luiz Araújo (Atlanta United) — $4,483,333
#9. Christian Benteke (DC United) — $4,432,778
#10. Josef Martínez (Inter Miami) — $4,391,667
#11. Lucas Zelarayán (Columbus Crew) — $3,800,000
#12. Carles Gil (New England Revolution) — $3,545,833
#13. Rodolfo Pizarro (Inter Miami) — $3,350,000
#14. Carlos Vela (LAFC) — $3,337,500
#15. Nicolás Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders) — $3,256,667
#16. Raúl Ruidíaz (Seattle Sounders) — $3,201,120
#17. Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC) — $3,188,750
#18. Jozy Altidore (New England Revolution) — $2,939,963
#19. Cucho Hernández (Columbus Crew) — $2,886,000
#20. Gustavo Bou (New England Revolution) — $2,675,000
#21. Ryan Gauld (Vancouver Whitecaps) — $2,505,000
#22. Thiago Almada (Atlanta United) — $2,332,000
#23. Karol Świderski (Charlotte FC) — $2,258,000
#24. Evander (Portland Timbers) — $2,230,000
#25. Brenner (FC Cincinnati) — $2,218,600
Here's a great interactive chart that breaks it all down by team.
My MLS Wages charts have been updated to reflect this new data release.
Explore details & past seasons in the interactive version:https://t.co/F2CMPrmvM1https://t.co/HD0JXEaXmE pic.twitter.com/CWgBZgdTBl— Steve Fenn //\\ Mast: StatHunting@skrimmage.com (@StatHunting) May 16, 2023
