Major League Soccer has now become the third most expensive league in the United States after the NFL and NBA. With big names like David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic moving to the MLS in the past, now prime players like Gareth Bale, Lorenzo Insigne have also joined American clubs. So its time to check out the top 5 highest paid players in the Major League Soccer.

Gareth Bale is reportedly on the verge of agreeing a deal to join MLS side LAFC, with the Wales forward set to become a free agent on 30 June when his contract with Real Madrid expires. Bale, 32, spent eight seasons at the Bernabéu (excluding a loan back to his former club Spurs in the 2020-21 campaign) and won five Champions Leagues, three LaLiga titles and a Copa del Rey but fell out of favour later in his Madrid career and is now seeking a short-term deal to maintain his fitness ahead of the World Cup.

MLS also operates a strict salary cap system and LAFC have already signed former Italy international Giorgio Chielini, although the Juventus legend will play on a Targeted Allocation Money contract, meaning he will earn less than $2 million for the 2022-23 season. As Bale will not be a designated player, he can probably expect a similar arrangement financially, but that is unlikely to be the Welshman's main priority as he seeks to keep fit and play competitive football ahead of his country's first appearance at the World Cup since 1958.

Top 5 Highest Paid Players In The Major League Soccer: The List:

5.Gonzalo Higuain (Inter Miami CF)-$5.7 million 

Former Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Napoli and Juventus forward Gonzalo Higuaín is one of the most prominent players in the MLS. The Argentine joined David Beckham owned franchise CF Inter Miami in 2020.

The Beckman owned franchise CF Inter Miami has started slowly in the Eastern Conference despite moves to improve the club's fortunes. 

Higuaín has won major trophies in Europe, including the Série A, La Liga, Coppa Italia, and UEFA Europa League.

4.Javier Hernandez (Los Angeles Galaxy)-$6 million 

Javier Hernandez is a renowned name in Mexican soccer and European football. The Mexican played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Leverkusen, and West Ham United, winning the Premier League and FIFA Club World Cup.

Hernandez has been one of the best Mexican soccer players in the MLS since he arrived in 2021. At the LA Galaxy, Hernandez won the MLS Player of the Month for April and May.

3.Carlos Vela ( Los Angeles Football Club)-$6.3 million

Carlos Vela is one of the most successful Mexican soccer players in the MLS. The former European ace joined Los Angeles FC in 2018.

Vela had his breakthrough in the MLS the second year, scoring the league's most goals in a single season at 34. Vela's performance helped the LAFC win the MLS Cup and the Supporters Shield.

2. Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire)-$8.1 million

Chicago Fire midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri is Major League Soccer's second highest-paid player, jumping past Los Angeles FC attacker Carlos Vela and breaking Zlatan Ibrahimović's league record.

The 30-year-old Swiss international, who joined Chicago this season from Lyon, has a base salary of $7.35 million and total compensation of $8,153,000, according to figures released Tuesday by the Major League Soccer Players Association.

The club's new number 10 has scored two goals and had three assists in nine games to date for Chicago.

1. Lorenzo Insigne (Toronto FC)- 15 million

Don't be fooled by the 30-year-old Italian's age: This is a player in the prime of his career making the switch to Major League Soccer.

Biggest acquisition in MLS history on a monster $15 million contract, according to reports, Insigne's arrival marks a watershed moment for the league and an enormous snare for Bob Bradley and the Canadian club. The Italian international should become one of the league's most fearsome frontmen on arrival this coming summer.

This completes our Top 5 Highest Paid Players In The Major League Soccer list.

In his first full season in the MLS, Argentine forward Lionel Messi claimed the prestigious MVP award, which is given to the best-performing player in the League for that season.

Despite missing 15 matches due to injuries and international commitments, Messi led MLS in goal contributions with 20 goals and 16 assists in 19 appearances. He became the third player in the league's history to record at least 20 goals and 15 assists in a single season, following Carlos Vela (2019) and Sebastian Giovinco (2015). This achievement also marks the first time an Inter Miami player has won the award.

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Lionel Messi Secures Prestigious Honor for the First Time in His Career

Our MVP by our @InterMiamiAcad 💫 This is the #FreedomToDream pic.twitter.com/EpGWNVfeKj

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) December 6, 2024

Inter Miami had a dominant MLS regular season, setting a record with 74 points, but was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Atlanta United. Messi joined the team in June 2023 after departing Paris Saint-Germain.

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Messi secured 38.4% of the average vote, edging out Hernandez, who received 33.7%. The top five was completed by Portland Timbers midfielder Evander (9.2%), DC United's Christian Benteke (7.1%), and Messi's Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez (2.2%).

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How the MVP Voting Looked Like?

1. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) --> 38.4%
2. Cucho Hernandez (Columbus Crew) --> 33.7%
3. Evander (Portland Timbers) --> 9.24%
4. Christian Benteke (DC United) --> 7.10%
5. Luis Suarez (Inter Miami) --> 2.17%

Messi, Busquets, and Alba led Inter Miami to victory in the Leagues Cup, a competition featuring MLS teams against Mexico's Liga MX, earning the club its first-ever trophy.

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In the 2024 season, Inter Miami excelled during the regular season, claiming the Supporters' Shield as the team with the highest points across both conferences. All these achievements helped propel Messi to win this award.

Lionel Messi will have a new coach at his club from next season onwards; as Inter Miami boss Gerardo 'Tata' Martino has left his position as the head coach on 20 November 2024. Martino has resigned due to some personal reasons. 

Martino leaves after winning the MLS Supporters' Shield with a record 74 points tally and crashing out of the MLS Cup play-offs in November 2024. the 62-year-old Argentinian coach also won the Leagues Cup with Miami last year.

🚨 Tata Martino’s Record as Inter Miami Coach:

🏟️ Games: 67
✅ Wins: 38
❌ Losses: 16
🤝 Draws: 13
📊 Points per game: 1.90

🏆 Leagues Cup Champion
🛡️ Supporter’s Shield Winner
📈 MLS All-Time Points Record pic.twitter.com/e2RLBXwUuC

— Inter Miami News Hub (@Intermiamicfhub) November 19, 2024

However, the Major League Soccer outfit will be looking for a new coach as Martino's heir at Miami. Inter Miami has entered the expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and the star-studded group will need a high-profile coach to get them to the furthest in the competition. 

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Some great profiles have already emerged as potential candidates to be the next coach of Inter Miami. Sportzpoint explores the options that can be suitable for The Herons. 

Xavi

According to the Miami Herald, former Spain and Barcelona midfielder Xavi has emerged as an option to be the head coach of Inter Miami.

Xavi Hernandez has emerged as the top candidate to replace Tata Martino as Inter Miami’s head coach, according to reports! 🔥🦩

𝑨 𝑹𝑬𝑼𝑵𝑰𝑶𝑵 𝑾𝑰𝑻𝑯 𝑴𝑬𝑺𝑺𝑰 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑪𝑶.? ✨#LionelMessi #Xavi #InterMiami pic.twitter.com/l9WGOoLImw

— Sportskeeda Football (@skworldfootball) November 20, 2024

The former teammate of Lionel Messi at FC Barcelona can be reunited in Miami as his name has started to surface as one of the top candidates to take up the Miami job. Xavi's former teammates such as Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba are all part of the Miami squad, and that is why Xavi has emerged as the most reasonable option for The Herons. 

Xavi has not taken any other managerial job since he left his position as head coach at FC Barcelona in June 2024. He has won the LaLiga title and Supercopa de Espana in the 2022-23 season with Barca and also won seven trophies during his first tenure as a head coach for Qatar's Al-Sadd club.

Javier Mascherano

According to the Miami Herald, former Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano has emerged as another top choice for the MLS outfit.

🚨 Xavi and Javier Mascherano have emerged as options for head coach at Inter Miami! 👔🇺🇸

Both are former teammates of Leo Messi. 👀

(Source: @MiamiHerald) pic.twitter.com/7ofnJsZ0K9

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) November 20, 2024

Javier Mascherano has emerged as another top choice to sit at the Inter Miami dugout. The former Argentine midfielder who also played with Messi, Busquets, Alba, and Suarez at FC Barcelona was also a close teammate of Lionel Messi in the Argentina national team during his time.

However, Mascherano is currently the manager of the Argentina U-20 and U-23 team. It can be a risky choice considering he has no managerial experience in club football so far and AFA may not permit his departure leaving the national age-group teams. Mascherano's name has emerged but it is highly unlikely considering the scenario and all the possibilities. 

Zinedine Zidane 

Zinedine Zidane has close ties with his former Real Madrid teammate David Beckham, who is the co-owner of Inter Miami as well. Daily Mirror reported back in 2018 that Beckham had held preliminary talks with the French legend to manage the newly established Inter Miami, 

We have seen Messi, Beckham, and Zidane spending time together, so the 3-time UCL winning coach can be a very realistic option to be Miami's next coach. It was also reported in 2021 that Zidane's son, Enzo Zidane was on trial with Inter Miami. 

💥Cette photo légendaire de : Messi. Beckham. Zidane. 🇦🇷 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/gMk82G4RkU

— INTER MIAMI FR (@IntermiamiFR_) February 24, 2024

Zidane has been a free agent since he decided to leave Real Madrid in 2021 after his second stint at the Spanish club. He has previously been linked with the France national football team's head coach job but no progress was made there. 

However, Zidane has managed the 3-times Champions League-winning Real Madrid squad filled with great figures and talents; which proves his immense man-management quality. It will be interesting to see if Zidane comes together with Messi and Beckham again, and this time to produce something great at Miami. 

Jim Curtin 

Jim Curtin may seem like an odd name in the list of some familiar stars of the game but the 45-year-old manager has proved himself as one of the best coaches in MLS' history. 

It was a heavily unexpected move by MLS side Philadelphia Union to part ways with Jim Curtin who was their head coach for 10 long years as he left his position on 7 November 2024. Curtin stayed on the Philadelphia Union's touchline for 11 seasons and won them the MLS Supporters' Shield in the 2019-20 season. 

Ya know who's cool?
This guy.

Just droppin' some Jim Curtin Appreciation on your timeline 🐍 #DOOP pic.twitter.com/1BJS44J1W5

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) July 31, 2020

Union has been one of the lowest-spending teams in the MLS but Curtin still managed to have a 42% winning rate after 420 games in charge over 10 years. He was potentially named as the USMNT assistant coach previously in 2023 but now he can be a very realistic option for the Miami job. 

Lionel Messi is not sure if he will be fit to play in Inter Miami's pre-season friendly in Japan this week. Two days ago, furious fans in Hong Kong booed Messi and club co-owner David Beckham, shouting "Refund", as the Argentinian didn't start or come as a sub for the friendly.

"I don't know if I can (play) or not but I feel a lot better and really want to do it," Messi told the reporters ahead of their match against Vissel Kobe on Wednesday. "This afternoon we're going to practise, we'll try again. I have a good feeling, compared to how I was," he added.

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Excitement has been building for the friendly and Tokyo's National Stadium is getting ready with Inter Miami's pink colours. Tickets for the Japan leg of the Major League Soccer (MLS) club's globe-trotting pre-season tour cost between 10,000 yen ($68) and 200,000 yen ($1,346) with "special experience" packages priced even higher.

A crowd of nearly 40,000 in Hong Kong who paid for similarly expensive tickets left out the field in disappointment after Messi stayed at the bench during their 4-1 win against a local select XI. The Hong Kong government also demanded for an explanation from the match's organizers.

"It was really bad luck that I couldn't play in Hong Kong," Messi said. "Unfortunately this happens in football, in any game it can happen that you can't play," he added.

"I always want to participate, I want to play, especially in these games where we travel so far and people want to see our games. I hope we can return and play a game in Hong Kong."

Inter Miami have signed striker, Luis Suarez, the Major League Soccer club announced on Friday. He will again team up with his best friend and former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi. He will play alongside his former teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. They won four La Liga titles in five years.

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The Uruguay forward scored 26 goals and provided 17 assists in all competitions, leading the team to two trophies this year.

"I'm very happy and excited to take on this new challenge with Inter Miami. I can't wait to get started, and I'm ready to work to make the dream of winning more titles with this great club a reality," Suarez said in a statement.

Suarez and Messi were part of the famous attacking trio MSN alongside Brazilian forward Neymar. Luis Suarez scored 195 goals and made 113 assists in Barcelona. Overall, he has scored more than 500 senior goals for club and country.

"Luis is an outstanding striker with a track record of excellence at the very top levels of the sport," Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson said.

Inter Miami will kick off the 2024 season on Feb. 21 at home against Real Salt Lake.

Football is not just a sport but an emotion, a passion, and for some, a religion. The game has evolved but the love and the passion for the sport is still the same. However, another evolution is evident, the exponential growth in player valuations and salaries. In the recent season, the fans witnessed their favourite players transfer from one club to another club for record transfer fees and record wages. It's time, we give a look at the list of the Top 10 Highest-Paid footballers in 2023.

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Top 5 Highest-Paid Footballers in 2023

1. $260 Million | Cristiano Ronaldo | Al-Nassr

Ronaldo's move to Al Nassr was historic. Earning €200 million, he's not just any sportsman but also a brand in itself. He is continuing to plug his own partnerships, with spots for Clear, Herbalife and Binance, among others, appearing on his Instagram account over the past two months. So it's $260 million in total if everything can be included alongside his salary.

AGE: 38 | NATIONALITY: PORTUGAL | ON-FIELD: $200 MILLION â€¢ OFF-FIELD: $60 MILLION

2. $135 Million | Lionel Messi | Inter Miami

The Messi Effect is real in MLS. Chicago Fire drew a club record 62,124 fans at Soldier Field and generated a reported $7 million to $10 million in revenue in a match against Inter Miami, more than all their home games combined this season. Messi's arrival on U.S. soil was also registered in a recently released Apple TV+ documentary titled "Messi Meets America."

AGE: 36 | NATIONALITY: ARGENTINA | ON-FIELD: $65 MILLION â€¢ OFF-FIELD: $70 MILLION

3. $112 Million | Neymar Jr. | Al-Hilal

Neymar Jr. has been always been the talking points in the footballing world since his departure from Barcelona. Because when he was in Barcelona, he was derived by only and only football but somehow he became the talking person for being a money driven football player. He signed a record contract with Al-Hilal recently. Away from the pitch, he remains as active as ever, with a list of sponsors that includes Puma, Konami and Red Bull. He also announced a partnership with Portuguese horse breeding farm Team Campline.

AGE: 31 | NATIONALITY: BRAZIL | ON-FIELD: $80 MILLION â€¢ OFF-FIELD: $32 MILLION

4. $110 Million | Kylian Mbappé | Paris Saint-Germain

Mbappé's decision was not to extend his contract with France's Paris-Saint Germain ahead of the new Ligue 1 season. The club even chose to exclude him from a preseason tour in Japan. But somewhat repaired their relationship. Mbappé fulfilling his childhood dream to play for Real Madrid are growing. Real Madrid failed to sign him this summer but are planning to do so in the next summer too.

AGE: 24 | NATIONALITY: FRANCE | ON-FIELD: $90 MILLION â€¢ OFF-FIELD: $20 MILLION

5. $106 Million | Karim Benzema | Al-Ittihad

Benzema followed his former Real Madrid teammate Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia. He brought to Al Ittihad a blend of skill, experience, and goal-scoring prowess. He's more than just a player. He's an investment for the future and a statement of intent.

AGE: 35 | NATIONALITY: FRANCE | ON-FIELD: $100 MILLION â€¢ OFF-FIELD: $6 MILLION

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Top 10 Highest-Paid Footballers list in 2023:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo: $260m (Al-Nassr)

2. Lionel Messi: $135m (Inter Miami)

3. Neymar: $112m (Al-Hilal)

4. Kylian Mbappé: $110m (PSG)

5. Karim Benzema: $106m (Al-Ittihad)

6. Erling Haaland: $58m (Manchester City)

7. Mohamed Salah: $53m (Liverpool)

8. Sadio Mané: $52m (Al-Nassr)

9. Kevin De Bruyne: $39m (Manchester City)

10. Harry Kane: $36m (Bayern Munich)