Kaka, Giovinco top MLS salary list

Brazilian superstar Kaka is the biggest earner in Major League Soccer, according to figures released this month by the MLS Players Union.

The 35-year-old Orlando City designated player is set to earn a base salary of $6.66 million in 2017, with his guaranteed compensation at $7.17 million. Toronto FC's Italian striker Sebastian Giovinco is just behind with $7.12 million in guaranteed compensation ($5.6 million base).

Kaka and Giovinco lead a growing list of millionaires in MLS, with 28 players taking home seven figure salaries this season.

Among those are a host of newcomers into the league, including New York City FC's Maxi Moralez ($2 million), Atlanta United duo Miguel Almiron ($2.3 million) and Josef Martinez ($1.04 million), Romain Alessandrini ($2 million) of the LA Galaxy and Portland Timbers attacker Sebastian Blanco ($1.08 million). Chicago Fire's German star Bastian Schweinsteiger leads the way among players new to MLS in 2017, with the World Cup winner pulling in $5.4 million.

TOP 10 EARNERS IN MLS (by guaranteed compensation):

1. Kaka (Orlando City) — $7.17 million
2. Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC) — $7.12 million
3. Michael Bradley (Toronto FC) — $6.5 million
4. Andrea Pirlo (New York City FC) — $5.9 million
5. David Villa (New York City FC) — $5.6 million
6. Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy) — $5.5 million
7. Bastian Schweinsteiger (Chicago Fire) — $5.4 million
8. Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC) — $4.9 million
9. Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders) — $3.9 million
10. Diego Valeri (Portland Timbers) — $2.6 million