Messi Leads Charts of Top 10 Best Paid Players in the MLS

• The MLS is currently one of the top destinations for players leaving European football
• Lionel Messi recently became the highest-profile player to join the division
• The Barcelona legend's move to the MLS saw him become the best-paid footballer in the US

Major League Soccer is fast becoming one of the top destinations for football stars venturing away from Europe.

The division has enjoyed a significant rise to prominence in recent years, with Lionel Messi's recent move further raising its standing in the world of football.

Messi sealed a sensational move to the MLS back in July when he linked up with Inter Miami following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain.

According to The Guardian, the 36-year-old penned a two-and-a-half-year contract with Inter Miami worth an eyewatering $60 million.

The deal saw Messi officially become the best-earning player in the MLS, with the Barcelona legend pocketing nearly £128,000 every day.

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Who are the best-paid players in the MLS?

Away from Messi, there are a host of other players also banking decent wages in the US.

Incredibly, a good number of the players moved to the MLS after illustrious careers in Europe.

One such player is Barcelona icon Sergio Busquets, who played alongside Messi at the Camp Nou before their reunion at Inter Miami.

According to GiveMeSport, citing the MLS Players Association, the legendary defensive midfielder is on a $10 million per year contract at Inter Miami.

Former Manchester United star Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez and Xherdan Shaqiri are among the other best-earning players in the division.

Hernandez, who is currently plying his trade with LA Galaxy, is believed to be on a $7.4million deal at the club.

Shaqiri, meanwhile, is reportedly banking $8.1 million per year at Chicago Fire FC, enough to place him third on the highest-earning list.

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Top 10 best-paid players in the MLS (wages per year):

10. Christian Benteke - D.C. United - $4,250,000

9. Douglas Costa - LA Galaxy - $4,508,333

8. Hector Herrera - Houston Dynamo - $5,246,875

7. Sebastian Driussi - Austin FC - $6,022,500

6. Federico Bernardeschi - Toronto FC - $6,295,381

5. Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez - LA Galaxy - $7,443,750

4. Lorenzo Insigne - Toronto FC - $7,500,000

3. Xherdan Shaqiri - Chicago Fire FC - $8,153,000

2. Sergio Busquets - Inter Miami - $10,000,000

1. Lionel Messi - Inter Miami - $55,000,000

Martino explains Messi's injury

Sports Brief also reported on Tata Martino explaining Messi's injury against Toronto and downplaying fears the 2022 World Cup winner had suffered a muscular injury.

The Argentine was spotted holding his hamstring during a warm-up but the coach claimed this was due to his previous injury, which left him sidelined against Bolivia.

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Social media users were quick to note a clip of an exhausted Messi sitting on the bench for Inter Miami, tilting his head back and appearing to be in significant discomfort.