In the high-stakes world of North American football, the financial battle between Liga MX and MLS has reached a fever pitch. While MLS has traditionally been viewed as the league of "Designated Player" megastars like Lionel Messi, Liga MX has long maintained a higher median salary across its entire rosters. The gap is closing. With major Mexican clubs like Club América and Tigres UANL continuing to splash record sums on European and South American talent, the "Sueldos de Oro" (Golden Salaries) of Mexico remain a dominant force in the Western Hemisphere.
Highest Paid Players in Liga MX (2026)
The payroll in Mexico is heavily concentrated in the "Big Four" and the wealthy northern clubs. As of the Clausura 2026 season, these are the top earners:
Allan Saint-Maximin (Club América): Following his high-profile move from the Saudi Pro League, the Frenchman remains the league's highest-paid player, reportedly earning upwards of $6 million – $7 million per year.
André-Pierre Gignac (Tigres UANL): Even at age 40, the Tigres legend commands a premium salary of approximately $4.6 million annually.
Sergio Canales (Monterrey): The Spanish playmaker earns a guaranteed compensation near $5 million per year.
Gilberto Mora (Xolos): The 17-year-old sensation, currently the league's most valuable asset at $11.7 million, recently signed a contract extension that catapulted him into the league's top domestic earners.
Liga MX vs. MLS: Which League Pays Better?
The "better" league depends on your position on the roster.
| Metric | Liga MX (2026) | MLS (2026) |
| Average Salary | ~$410,000 | ~$520,000 |
| Median Salary | ~$310,000 | ~$280,000 |
| Highest Salary | ~$7 Million | $20.4 Million (Messi) |
The Verdict: MLS pays significantly more to its top 3% (Designated Players), but Liga MX typically offers higher wages for rank-and-file players and squad depth. A "good" professional salary in Mexico's top flight starts around $150,000 USD, which is roughly 40 times the average national income in Mexico.
Global Context: La Liga & Premier League
To understand the scale of Mexican salaries, we look at the European giants.
Lamine Yamal's Salary (2026)
Following his blockbuster contract extension through 2031, Barcelona's teenage superstar Lamine Yamal now earns a base salary of €15 million ($16.8 million) per year.
Per Week: Approximately £325,000 ($410,000).
Per Month: Roughly €1.25 million.
Top Managers
| Manager | Team | Annual Salary |
| Diego Simeone | Atlético Madrid | €30M ($33.3M) |
| Pep Guardiola | Man City | £20M ($25.3M) |
| Carlo Ancelotti | Brazil (Natl Team) | €10M ($11.1M) |
| Tata Martino | Atlanta United | ~$3.5M |
Liga MX Coach Salaries: Top-tier managers in Mexico, like those at Cruz Azul or Monterrey, typically earn between $2 million and $4 million per year, making them some of the best-paid coaches outside of Europe.
What is a "Good" Salary in Mexico?
For a non-athlete, a "good" salary in Mexico City or Monterrey is considered anything above 45,000 MXN ($2,600 USD) per month, which places an individual in the top 10% of earners. In contrast, the average La Liga salary for a squad player in Spain is approximately €40,000 ($43,000) per week, illustrating the massive gulf between domestic Mexican wages and the European elite.