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According to the official 2025 salary release, these are the 15 highest-paid Brazilians in MLS this season, with attacking midfielder Evander and winger Gabriel Pec topping the list.
Evander’s Salary Sets the Pace; Pec Trails as Runner-Up
Evander Ferreira, now with FC Cincinnati, tops the Brazilian salary rankings in MLS with a guaranteed compensation of $4.73 million. Originally signed as a Designated Player by Portland in 2023, he was transferred to Cincinnati this season and has quickly become the creative engine of the team.
In second place is Gabriel Pec of LA Galaxy, earning $2.46 million. The winger had a standout 2024 campaign, but has struggled to find rhythm in 2025 amid Galaxy’s poor league form and early Concachampions exit. Still, his earnings underscore the value placed on Brazilian talent in the league.
Defender Marlon, currently with LAFC, sits sixth on the list and faces contract uncertainty. His deal expires at the end of June, and high wages may complicate any extension talks.
Two new arrivals in 2025—Matheus Nascimento (LA Galaxy) and Igor Jesus (LAFC)—already feature in the top 15, both earning around $600,000.
💵 Top 15 Highest-Paid Brazilians in MLS (2025)
|
Rank |
Player |
Club |
Guaranteed Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Evander da Silva Ferreira |
FC Cincinnati |
$4,736,411 |
|
2 |
Gabriel Fortes Chaves (Pec) |
LA Galaxy |
$2,459,000 |
|
3 |
Thiago Martins |
NYCFC |
$2,162,000 |
|
4 |
João Klauss |
St. Louis City SC |
$1,370,284 |
|
5 |
Talles Magno |
NYCFC |
$1,065,000 |
|
6 |
Marlon |
LAFC |
$1,000,000 |
|
7 |
Gabriel Pirani |
DC United |
$791,700 |
|
8 |
Antônio Rodrigues (Rodrigues) |
San Jose Earthquakes |
$758,000 |
|
9 |
Daniel de Sousa Britto |
San Jose Earthquakes |
$742,500 |
|
10 |
José Artur de Lima Júnior |
Houston Dynamo |
$893,375 |
|
11 |
João Paulo Mior |
Seattle Sounders |
$625,000 |
|
12 |
Igor Jesus Lima |
LAFC |
$616,684 |
|
13 |
João Peglow |
DC United |
$608,812 |
|
14 |
Leonardo Chú Franco (Léo Chú) |
FC Dallas |
$600,000 |
|
15 |
Matheus Nascimento de Paula |
LA Galaxy |
$571,250 |
📊 Observations and Trends
- NYCFC, LAFC, and LA Galaxy each have multiple Brazilians in the top 15, showcasing their continued investment in South American markets.
- Thiago Martins stands out as the highest-paid Brazilian defender in MLS.
- The majority of players are midfielders or attackers, reinforcing the creative and technical reputation of Brazilian exports.
- Evander earns nearly double the second-highest Brazilian salary in MLS—cementing his place as the league’s biggest Brazilian investment in 2025.
- Some names on the list, such as Talles Magno, remain on the books but are no longer active on matchdays—raising questions about roster planning and value retention.
📎 Related Reading
Celso Oliveira
