The MLS Players Association has released data for the 2019 season this week, so now we know who is making the big bucks in this year's MLS campaign. This season's list was chock-full of newcomers, with five of the 18 players on the list for MLS highest paid players 2019 debuting this season for their respective MLS Clubs.
The list also includes two released players, who are still getting paid despite watching the games from home. With last year's list-topper, Sebastian Giovinco, being sold to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal this offseason, there has been a lot of movement amongst the top names compared to last season.
Without further ado, here are the MLS highest played players 2019.
MLS Highest Paid Players 2019
#18 | Nicolas Gaitan | Chicago Fire | $2,197,504
Gaitan was recently signed by Chicago from Chinese Super League Club Dalian Yinfang.
#17 | Yura Movsisyan | MLS | $2,273,750
Movisiyan is not currently playing in MLS.
#16 | Marco Fabian | Philadelphia Union | $2,274,087
Marco Fabian was recently signed by the Philadelphia Union from Einctracht Frankfurt.
#15 | Carles Gil | New England Revolution | $2,337,500
Recently signed for the New England Revolution from Deportiva La Coruna.
#14 | Diego Valeri | Portland Timbers | $2,420,000
Valeri is a four-time MLS All-Star.
#13 | Tim Howard | Colorado Rapids | $2,475,000
Howard has 120 caps with the U.S. National Team.
#12 | Nani | Orlando City SC | $2,486,250
Nani was recently signed by Orlando SC from Sporting CP.
#11 | Nicolas Lodeiro | Seattle Sounders | $2,502,500
Lodeiro had 16 assists in 2018.
#10 | Josef Martinez | Atlanta United | $3,058,333
Martinez scored an MLS-record 31 goals last season.
#9 | Wayne Rooney | DC United | $3,507,500
Rooney scored 12 goals in MLS last season.
#8 | Alejandro Pozeulo | Tortonto FC | $3,800,000
Recently signed from KRC Genk.
#7 | Ignacio Piatti | Montreal Impact | $4,443,333
Piatti had 16 goals and 13 assists last season.
#6 | Bastian Schweinsteiger | Chicago Fire | $5,600,000
Schweinsteiger had two assists for Chicago last season.
#5 | Carlos Vela | LAFC | $6,300,000
Vela is leading the league in goals this season with 16 through 16 matches.
#4 | Jozy Altidore | Toronto FC | $6,332,250
Altidore scored seven goals last season with Toronto.
#2 (Tie) | Giovanni Dos Santos | MLS | $6,500,000
Giovanni Dos Santos was released by the LA Galaxy in March.
#2 (Tie) | Michael Bradley | Toronto FC | $6,500,000
Bradley had 5 assists for Toronto FC in 2018
#1 | Zlatan Ibrahimovic | LA Galaxy | $7,200,000
Current salary is a record for largest in MLS history.
