How much money Thomas Müller and other Vancouver Whitecaps players are making
Thomas Müller reportedly made 20.5 million euros in the Bundesliga last season. That’s over C$33 million.
But with the Vancouver Whitecaps this year, he’ll make just US$1.43 million, ranked 80th overall among MLS players.
Not bad for a player who led the MLS in goals per minute since arriving in Vancouver.
The MLS Players Association released its biannual salary report on Wednesday.
Müller’s low salary wasn’t a surprise. However, his bargain contract has been hugely beneficial for the Whitecaps, who are one of the favourites to win the MLS Cup this year.
Here are all of the Whitecaps player salaries for 2025, according to the MLSPA salary guide:
Vancouver Whitecaps salaries (MLSPA Salary Guide)
Of the 30 teams in MLS, the Whitecaps ranked 17th with a US$17.6 million payroll.
The highest-paid player in the MLS is, unsurprisingly, Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi. The Argentinian soccer star has a base salary of US$12 million and a guaranteed salary of over US$20 million.
According to the MLSPA data, guaranteed compensation includes marketing bonuses and agent fees, but excludes performance bonuses.
While Müller has been playing on a sweetheart deal for the Whitecaps, his salary is set to rise dramatically next season. The German footballer is reportedly set to become the Whitecaps’ highest-paid player next season with a salary of US$7.5 million.
Aside from Müller, it’s worth noting that the Whitecaps have achieved a historic season despite being in the bottom half of the league in terms of money spent on their players.
Not only that, but they finished with the second-best record in the Western Conference despite facing a slew of injuries. That included seeing their highest-paid player, Ryan Gauld, be limited to just six games this season.
Fullback Sam Adekugbe also missed all but seven games, while other pricer players such as Brian White and defender of the year, Tristan Blackmon, were also sidelined with injuries.
Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter was the team’s minute-leader this season, despite being only the 16th highest-paid player on the team.