How Austin FC compares with other MLS teams on player pay

Data: MLS Players Association ; Note: Guaranteed compensation includes a player's base salary, agent's fees and all signing, marketing and guaranteed bonuses annualized over the term of the player's contract, including option years; Table: Axios Visuals

Austin FC salaries remain among the highest in the league .

Driving the news: The MLS Players Association this week released its 2024 Salary Guide , which contains annual base salary and annual guaranteed compensation data for all players under contract with Major League Soccer, per the association.

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State of play: Austin FC ranks sixth in the league in guaranteed compensation for players, although the team's $18.4 million base payroll is still less than Inter Miami star Lionel Messi's pay alone.

• Messi, considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time, is getting $20.4 million in guaranteed compensation this year, according to the guide .

Zoom in: Austin FC's star midfielder Sebastián Driussi is the league's fifth highest-paid player, with $6.7 million in guaranteed compensation.

The latest: The Verde and Black's second highest-paid player in the report, Emiliano Rigoni ($2 million), is no longer on the team. Austin FC announced this week that it's buying out his contract .

What's next: Austin FC faces off against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday in California. They'll return to Q2 Wednesday against the Portland Timbers .

• With a record of six wins, four losses and four draws, Austin is tied for third place in the Western Conference.

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