Chicago Fire FC HubChicago Fire FC's Xherdan Shaqiri was the highest-paid player in the MLS for a while. In 2022, Shaqiri moved to Chicago Fire with an annual salary of $8.2 million.
What happened?
Shaqiri smiles when asked about his high salary: "It's always nice, no matter where you work."
Why it matters for Chicago Fire FC
The salaries of sports stars are published in the USA, and for Shaqiri, this was not a problem. He didn't see any envy from his teammates.
What comes next?
Shaqiri's contract was released in the summer, and he gave up a lot of money. He now earns "only" just under a fifth of what he was paid in Chicago, around $1.2-1.7 million francs.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual salary in Chicago | $8.2 million |
| Annual salary in Basel | $1.2-1.7 million francs |
Shaqiri's move to Chicago was not just about the money, but also about his ambitions. He wanted to be successful and leave Lyon. Georg Heitz, the outgoing sporting director at Chicago Fire, played a role in Shaqiri's move.
Shaqiri's experience in the USA was different from Europe. In Europe, people are more envious when someone earns more. But in the USA, people think it's cool when someone earns a lot.
Shaqiri's contract in Chicago was highly paid, but he had worked for it. He was the best-paid professional at Chicago Fire, and his salary was published. This was not a problem for Shaqiri, and he didn't see any envy from his teammates.
Shaqiri's move to Basel was a new chapter in his career. He earns less than he did in Chicago, but he is still a successful player. His experience in the USA was valuable, and he learned a lot from it.
Chicago Fire FC's fans will remember Shaqiri's time at the club. He was a key player, and his salary was a topic of discussion. But for Shaqiri, it was not just about the money, but also about his ambitions and his desire to be successful.
