(All amounts are in Australian dollars)
10. Giovani dos Santos (Los Angeles Galaxy) - $5.6 million
Once a prodigy in Barcelona who was set to follow in the footsteps of Ronaldinho, Dos Santos only managed to follow in the great Brazilian’s footsteps off the field as he left Barca at 19 amid rumors he was partying every night. After disappointing spells at Tottenham, Ipswich Town, Galatasaray, Racing Santander, Mallorca and Villarreal the Mexican attacking-midfielder has ended up at LA Galaxy. Yet to play a game, Galaxy will be hoping the 26 year-old can finally fulfill his potential and his huge price tag is no doubt a reflection of his popularity in LA’s large Mexican community.
9. Robbie Keane (Los Angeles Galaxy) - $6.2 million
The former Tottenham star has been in LA since 2011 and has relished the opportunity scoring 78 goals in 126 matches. Now 35, Keane has continued to prove the doubters wrong by maintaining a high level even in the twilight of his career.
8. Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders) - $6.3 million
After a stuttering start in his first season, Dempsey has shown his worth picking up two trophies with Seattle while scoring 25 goals in 56 games.
7. Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC) - $6.5 million
Sunderland fans might remember him, or they might not, given the fact he only managed three goals in the past two seasons with the Premier League side. It’s stunning the money that Altidore has commanded, even for an Americans, who tend to command more in the MLS than their market value elsewhere. Maybe his agent is the real star.
6. David Villa (New York City FC) - $7.7 million
Australia was lucky enough to witness his talents for a short time with Melbourne City and the former Barcelona striker has been tearing it up in the Big Apple, scoring 12 goals in 18 matches.
5. Frank Lampard (New York City FC) - $8.2 million
Lampard has finally joined the team he signed up with in July 2014. Injury has meant he hasn’t been able to play as yet and there will be pressure on the midfielder to deliver after such a long delay.
4. Steven Gerrard (Los Angeles Galaxy) - $8.6 million
Idolised by Liverpool fans it will be interesting to see what kind of impact the 35 year-old will have with Galaxy. One goal in two games is a bright start for one of the greatest midfielders of his generation. Maybe now he’ll be able to finally win that elusive league title.
3. Michael Bradley (Toronto FC) - $8.9 million
Bradley was prised away from AS Roma in his prime to become the highest paid American in MLS and for this amount of money you can understand why he left the bright lights of the Serie A.
2. Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC) - $9.7 million
Not as big a name as some of the other players on this list, but the difference is Giovinco is in his prime at 28 years-old. Once tipped to replace Alessandro Del Piero at Juventus, the attacking midfielder has proven his immense worth with 14 goals in 20 matches, including a hat-trick against New York City at Yankee Stadium.
1. Kaka (Orlando City) - $9.9 million
Kaka is proving a huge hit on and off the field in Orlando. The former AC Milan star is favourite for the MVP award with 10 goals and three assists in 21 matches. A sensational solo goal against West Brom in a pre-season match was reminiscent of his peak 2007 form but the $9.9 million is still incredible for a player who has been plagued by injury since 2008. I wonder who pays when he and team-mate Vladmiro Lameira, who is on $68,500, go for lunch.
So where is Andrea Pirlo?
Incomprehensively, Pirlo comes in behind ex-Newcastle United flop Obafemi Martins and Jermaine Jones in 13th position on a salary of $3.15 million. On his debut, New York City released ‘Yes Pirlo, Yes Party’ T-shirts – maybe after the Italian sees this list he’ll make it BYO.
