Inter Miami has the highest team payroll in the MLS at $17.8 million

The Major League Soccer Players Association on Thursday released its annual salary guide, which lists the 2021 annual base salary and 2021 annual guaranteed compensation data for the 786 players under contract. Inter Miami has the league’s highest payroll at $17.8 million, followed by Toronto FC ($17 million) and Los Angeles Galaxy ($16.8 million).

According to the list, forward Gonzalo Higuain is Inter Miami’s highestpaid player and the thirdhighest player in the league with guaranteed compensation of $5.79 million. The secondhighest Miami player is Rodolfo Pizarro ($3.35 million), followed by Blaise Matuidi ($1.5 million), and Matias Pellegrini ($920,833), who is on loan to the club’s USL Fort Lauderdale team.

Other Inter Miami salaries (in order) are: Julian Carranza ($750,000); Gregore Silva ($651,000); Nico Figal ($630,000); Lewis Morgan ($553,125); Ryan Shawcross ($307,500); Kelvin Leerdam ($297,625); Joevin

Jones ($273,900); Victor Ulloa ($220,000); Jay Chapman ($180,333); Christian Makoun ($175,000); Robbie Robinson ($170,000); John McCarthy ($136,583); Brek Shea ($135,000); Drake Callender ($120,000); Dylan Castanheira ($81,375); Federico Higuain ($81,375); George Acosta ($81,375); Josh Penn ($63,547); Ian Fray ($63,547); Edison Azcona ($63,547); and Felipe Valencia ($63,547).

Mexican forwards Carlos Vela and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez are the highest-paid players in the league. Vela, the 2019 MVP who plays for Los Angeles FC, will earn $6.3 million, followed by the L.A. Galaxy’s Chicharito at $6 million.

A league-wide analysis of the 2021 salary data showed salaries for players in roster spots four through 18 grew on average more than 10 percent per year over the past five years. The average base salary for senior roster non-designated players is $398,725 in 2021, more than doubling over the past five years.