Top 12 biggest MLS contracts of all time

Messi’s arrival is the biggest boost to MLS and football in USA

The MLS (Major League Soccer) has seen several significant contracts throughout its history, with players commanding lucrative deals that reflect their talents and market value. The contracts represent a combination of marquee signings, designated players, and homegrown stars who have attracted substantial attention and investment.

These contracts not only demonstrate the league’s growth and ability to attract top talent from around the world but also underscore the increasing competitiveness and appeal of football in the United States. As the league continues to evolve and expand, we will likely see even more eye-catching deals in the future.

Following are the top 12 biggest contracts of all time:

12. Frank Lampard- $6m

MLS announced in 2014 that Lampard would join the expansion team New York City FC. Lampard joined David Villa as the two faces of the franchise as it embarked on its professional journey in New York. The midfielder spent two seasons in New York, playing 31 games in all competitions and scoring 15 goals. His signing is regarded as the worst MLS signing in history.

11. Jermaine Defoe- $6m

The 40-year-old former Tottenham and England striker shattered the hopes of domestic clubs bidding to land him in January 2013 by accepting a stunning four-year offer to move to Canada. He just spent one season in the MLS, scoring 11 goals in 19 matches, before returning to the Premier League to join Sunderland.

10. Michael Bradley- $6m

Nicknamed “Il Generale” in Italy, he became one of the world’s best midfielders in 2013-14. Bradley’s signing was a massive coup for MLS to head in the right direction. Since his arrival, he has taken a lot of pay cuts to help Toronto FC. The 36-year-old is currently the captain of Toronto FC. He has been consistent throughout the nine seasons that he has been a part of the Canadian club.

9. Javier Hernandez- $6.1m

Javier Hernandez, “Chicharito,” was one of the best super subs to ever play in Europe; he was involved in so many match-winning goals for both Manchester United under Alex Ferguson and Real Madrid under Carlo Ancelotti. Hernandez joined the LA Galaxy in 2020; during that time, he has scored a load of goals for David Beckham’s former side and currently captains the Los Angeles side.

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8. Bastian Schweinsteiger- $6.1m

The legendary German midfielder, who had a career to remember, joined Chicago Fire in 2017 after spending two seasons at Manchester United under Jose Mourinho, where he won the Europa League. The German international could do it all for the Chicago Fire, and he did it for three years before announcing his retirement in 2019.

7. Steven Gerrard- $6.2m

Gerrard played 17 seasons at Anfield before making the move to MLS in 2015, with more than 700 appearances and 185 goals across all competitions. He also scored 21 times for England in 144 international appearances. Gerrard retired from club football after spending two years at LA Galaxy to follow in the footsteps of Lampard and Beckham.

6. Federico Bernardeschi- $6.3m

Toronto FC signed Italian international winger Federico Bernardeschi as a designated player until 2026; he currently plays with his Italian teammate Insigne, who also joined MLS from the Italian club Napoli. Toronto can’t afford to keep the Italian, who has reported that he would be open to a move back to Italy.

He has been a regular ever since he made his debut in 2022, and in the ongoing season, he has played 21 matches in which he has scored three goals.

5. Kaka- $6.6m

Brazilian legend Kaka spent three seasons in MLS with Orlando City; he was signed in 2014 before the 2015 MLS Season, which begins in January, and he became the highest-paid player in the history of MLS. Kaka made 75 league appearances in his three seasons with Orlando, scoring 24 goals and providing 22 assists.

4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic- $7.2m

The Sweden forward moved to the United States in 2018 following 18 months in the Premier League with Manchester United, a stint curtailed by a serious knee injury that sidelined him from the Europa League, which United won in 2017.

In the two seasons that he played, he was involved in more than 50 goals. He ended his two-year stint with the team as one of the most electrifying players in MLS. “I came, I saw, and I conquered,” Zlatan wrote in his farewell tweet.

3. Xherdan Shaqiri- $7.35m

Since making his professional debut in 2009, he has made 421 appearances across all competitions, winning 17 major trophies during that stretch. Additionally, the attacking midfielder has earned 100 caps for Switzerland’s senior national team, featuring in three consecutive FIFA World Cups (2010, 2014, and 2018).

Chicago Fire FC acquired the midfielder via transfer from Olympique Lyonnais (Ligue 1, France). Shaqiri occupies a designated player slot on the Fire’s roster; he became the most expensive transfer signing in club history.

2. Lorenzo Insigne- $14m

Insigne Cavaliere is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Major League Soccer club Toronto FC. He played in Italy for Napoli for about eight years before making a move to MLS. The Italian joined the MLS side to become the league’s highest-paid player; he has since taken a pay cut and still has the biggest base salary; only Messi has the best salary base currently in MLS.

1. Lionel Messi- $54m

And of course, Lionel Messi is number one. Having signed for Inter Miami, Messi is one of the richest footballers in MLS history, and in fairness to Messi, you can’t say he doesn’t deserve it, can you? His move was shocking because he was being chased by clubs from Saudi Arabia, and of course Barcelona were also in the picture to reunite with the Little Magician, but he chose MLS, and he chose to play for one of the best teams in the league.

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