Idman.biz
The salary of Nariman Akhundzade, the forward of the Azerbaijani national team and the US football team "Columbus Crew", in the MLS has been announced.
Idman.Biz reports that this information is included in the official salary guide of the MLS Players Association.
In the list announced for 2026, Nariman's annual basic salary is shown as 550,000 US dollars (935,000 AZN). His annual payment, including taxes, is 633,389 US dollars (1 million 77 thousand AZN).
The list also revealed the highest-paid football player in the MLS. The annual basic salary of the Argentine striker of the US football team "Inter Miami", Lionel Messi, is 25 million US dollars (42.5 million AZN). The star football player's annual payment, including taxes, reaches 28 million 333 thousand 333 US dollars (48 million 167 thousand AZN).
Nariman Akhundzade moved to "Columbus Crew" this February from the Azerbaijani football club "Qarabag". He went down in history as the first Azerbaijani football player to transfer to an MLS club. The 22-year-old striker's contract with the US representative is valid until June 2029.
According to the MLS Players Association, the salary guide covers football players who have a contract until April 16, 2026. The organization states that the guaranteed payment indicator includes basic salary, as well as signing bonuses and other guaranteed payments divided over the term of the contract.
