da betsson： The MLS Players Association salary guide has been released for 2023, and GOAL takes a look at the highest-paid players this year
da betway： Each year, the wages of every MLS player are revealed, and fans are able to get a better sense of the resources being allocated to international signings. While there are numerous examples of successful additions well worth their salaries, the 2023 list again shows how some veteran players still come to the U.S. with little left to offer.
The complex wage system in the league includes strict salary brackets for non-designated players, with the majority of a roster assembled from a separate monetary pool. Clubs don't have many chances to get it right when it comes to splurging in the transfer market; there are no Manchester City or Chelsea-like clubs who completely blow the rest of the division out of the water with their entire squads as is the case in the Premier League.
Below, GOAL runs through the highest-paid players in MLS for 2023, sorted by guaranteed compensation, including the disappointing Xherdan Shaqiri and Douglas Costa…
Getty Images1Xherdan Shaqiri – $8.2 million
Shaqiri is coming off a good weekend, but it's still been a poor 2023 for the former Liverpool player. With just one goal contribution in MLS all season after 18 in his debut campaign, he hasn't provided enough punch for the Chicago Fire considering he is the most expensive player in the league by guaranteed compensation.
The Fire are in 13th place in the Eastern Conference and just let go of coach Ezra Hendrickson. Shaqiri needs to be much better the rest of the way to justify his wages.
AdvertisementGetty2Lorenzo Insigne – $7.5 million
Staying fit has been a huge problem for Insigne, as he's had moments of brilliance when healthy but only played in 17 MLS matches since joining Toronto FC from Napoli last year. To his credit, though, he has halved his wages from his debut campaign to provide more flexibility to his struggling club.
Toronto FC are dead last in the Eastern Conference through 12 matches.
Getty3Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez – $7.4 million
With 17 goals scored in 2021 and 18 goals scored in 2022, LA Galaxy striker Chicharito has overall been a worthwhile signing. His cultural significance as a Mexican icon is also valuable from a marketing perspective.
That said, he's endured a difficult start to 2023, with injuries limiting him to six MLS appearances so far. This could go down as a rough campaign for him if the Galaxy don't turn around their form soon.
Getty Images4Federico Bernardeschi – $6.3 million
Toronto FC simply aren't getting enough out of their stars. Bernardeschi has been decent in 2023 with three goals and three assists, plus quality 1-v-1 dribbling skills, but he needs to hit an elite level if the club is to salvage its season.
At 29 years old, there is still time for the former Juventus player to elevate his game.