MLS player salaries - Atlanta United top salary and market value ranking

The Major League Soccer Player Association has released its annual salary guide on Tuesday. At the very top of the player, ranking is Swiss star Xherdan Shaqiri. The 30-year-old winger earns a guaranteed salary of $8.15 million. Among the clubs, Atlanta United have the highest guaranteed salary at $20.99 million. Atlanta's salary demands also coincide with the club's overall squad value. At $81.68 million, the highest in Major League Soccer.

Atlanta United aside, there is, however, some discrepancy between overall squad values and guaranteed salaries spent. Los Angeles FC, for example, rank second in overall squad value ($56.73m) but just 11th in guaranteed salary paid in 2022 ($14.56m). The clubs ranked second and third in guaranteed salary are Los Angeles Galaxy ($20.13m) and Inter Miami CF ($18.88m). But while the Galaxy see their market value somewhat reflected in the salary spend—the club has the highest seventh-highest market value in the league ($43.37m)—Inter Miami have the second-lowest squad value overall ($23.91m). 

Inter Miami's disastrous squad planning is a major part of the equation. In Rodolfo Pizarro, the South Florida-based club still has a player on the books for this season, who is currently playing on loan at Liga MX side Monterrey. World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi—he earns $1.5 million—is also still listed but currently not part of the squad.

NYCFC, Sounders, and Revolution - Market value reflects guaranteed salary

In New York City FC, Seattle Sounders, and New England Revolution, three very successful clubs see their market value also reflected in their guaranteed salary spending. MLS Cup winners NYCFC have the third biggest overall squad value ($56.29m) and are seventh in guaranteed salary paid ($15.54m). New England, which won the Supporters' Shield in 2021, have the fifth-highest squad value ($52.75m) and fourth-highest salary ($18.14m). Concacaf Champions League winners Sounders, in the meantime, have the fourth highest squad value ($53.1m) and sixth-highest salary package ($16.98m).