The list for the highest paid MLS players 2026 has been released and to no one’s surprise, Lionel Messi is still comfortably in first.

The Argentine makes twice as much as the next highest paid player in the league, but that’s just the GOAT treatment. Without any more yapping, let’s get straight to that list of the 15 most lucrative players in Major League Soccer.

Highest paid MLS players 2026

Lamine Yamal is undoubtedly one of the most exciting prospects fans will be eyeing for the 2026 World Cup, however a serious hamstring issue has cast some doubt over the youngster. Will Lamine Yamal play in the World Cup?

Will Lamine Yamal play in the World Cup?

Barcelona announced on Thursday that the 18-year-old Spaniard will sit out for the remainder of the club season due to a left hamstring injury, but should be healthy for the World Cup.

United States women’s national team and Chelsea forward Alyssa Thompson was emotional following the Blues Champions League exit at the hands of Arsenal on Wednesday. In the final moments of the game Thompson was the victim of a hair-pulling incident.

Alyssa Thompson hair pull vs. Arsenal

With Chelsea trailing 3-2 on aggregate, Thompson had the ball in the dying moments of the game. The 21-year-old successfully dribbled around Arsenal’s Katie McCabe, however McCabe then dragged the American to the ground by her hair.

Gio Reyna was arguably a surprise inclusion in the United States men’s national team’s penultimate roster ahead of the 2026 World Cup. This national team camp could be his last chance to make one last good impression on head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Gio Reyna 2026 World Cup roster

The 23-year-old has hardly played for his club, Borussia Monchengladach, at all this season.

Neymar’s involvement in the 2026 World Cup might be uncertain, however he certainly looked like his old self during Santos’ 2-1 victory vs. Vasco da Gama on Thursday.

The 34-year-old Brazilian was the star of the show scoring both of his side’s goals in the win. While his return to form was fantastic to watch, he also sprinkled in a little of the “Neymar flair” that makes you love him or hate him.

FIFA introduced the world to an expanded Club World Cup featuring 32 teams in 2025. In 2029 it’s likely that the number of clubs participating in the tournament could grow to 48.

The 2025 edition, hosted by the United States, was a major success in the eyes of FIFA as the competition drew in nearly three billion viewers and had over two millions fans in attendance overall, despite numerous games with a low turnout.