Lorenzo Insigne, once a stalwart at Napoli for over a decade, made headlines when he decided to trade Serie A for Major League Soccer, joining Toronto FC. The Italian international, renowned for his technical prowess and creative flair, immediately became one of the highest-paid players not just at his new club, but across the entire MLS.
According to the MLS salary guide, Insigne commands an impressive $296,153 (£228,042) per week at Toronto FC. This translates to an annual salary of $15.4 million (£11.8m), making him the undisputed top earner at the Canadian outfit and one of the highest-paid players in the league.
The wage disparity at Toronto FC is quite significant, with Insigne earning more than double the salary of the second-highest paid player, Federico Bernardeschi, another Italian import who previously plied his trade at Juventus. Canadian internationals Richie Laryea and Jonathan Osorio occupy the third and fourth positions on the club's wage bill, respectively, while Norwegian center-back Sigurd Rosted completes the top five earners at the club.
In the context of MLS as a whole, Insigne ranks second in terms of salary, behind only the legendary Lionel Messi, who currently leads the charts after his move to Inter Miami. Another former Barcelona star, Sergio Busquets, sits in third place, followed by Federico Bernardeschi and Emil Forsberg, who round off the top five highest earners in the league.
However, these figures appear relatively modest when compared to the world's top earners. Not a single MLS player features in the global top five, which is dominated by stars playing in the Saudi Pro League. The ageless Cristiano Ronaldo, currently with Al Nassr, tops the worldwide list, followed by Karim Benzema of Al Ittihad in second place and Riyad Mahrez of Al Ahli in third. Senegalese internationals Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly complete the global top five earners.
Despite not matching the astronomical figures commanded by players in the Saudi Pro League, Insigne's salary reflects his stature in the game and the increasing financial muscle of MLS clubs in attracting established European talent. The Italian maestro's move to Toronto FC not only elevated him to the upper echelons of MLS earners but also signified the league's growing appeal as a destination for world-class players looking for new challenges beyond Europe's traditional powerhouses.
