Chicago Fire midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri has the highest guaranteed compensation for 2022, the MLSPA announced on Tuesday. The amount equals $8.15 million.
Shaqiri also has the highest base salary among MLS players, totaling $7.35 million. He has two goals in nine starts for the Fire this season.
Other top paid players include Inter Miami striker Gonzalo Higuain ($5.79 million in guaranteed compensation) and Toronto FC midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo ($4.69 million in guaranteed compensation). The minimum salary for MLS players in 2022 is $65,500.
Average base salaries for senior roster non-designated players increased by 10.3 percent from 2021 to 2022 from $397,753 to $438,728. Roster spots four through 18 also experienced double-digit growth in average salaries over the last five years, according to the MLSPA.
Atlanta United has the highest team payroll, spending nearly $21 million on guaranteed compensation for players. Real Salt Lake has the lowest payroll at $10.47 million.
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