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Thomas Muller’s $685K MLS Salary Is Just the Start — Massive Pay Bump Coming in 2026

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Marcelo Cartaxo | Last updated Aug 2, 2025 2:15 PM ET

Bayern Munich legend Thomas Müller will soon join Major League Soccer. The German forward is set to become the new face of the Vancouver Whitecaps, and while his first-year salary reportedly starts at $685,000, it’s expected to grow significantly.

According to reports, Müller’s initial salary will be structured under the Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) mechanism. TAM allows MLS teams to exceed the league's salary cap by allocating up to $2.9 million for select signings — and that’s where Müller’s first-year salary will come from. Vancouver is placing a major bet on the former Bayern star to push the club to new heights.

But this is just the beginning for Müller’s journey in Vancouver. According to Sports Illustrated Germany, starting in 2026, his earnings are expected to increase dramatically through another MLS mechanism: the Designated Player (DP) rule.

While TAM allows teams to go slightly over budget, a DP slot allows clubs to spend well beyond those limits. For an example, the league's salary cap is set at $5.9 million. Lionel Messi earns over $16 million per season.

At the moment, Vancouver has all three DP slots filled, but the club is expected to open one next year — clearing the way for Müller to receive a significantly higher salary, potentially more than 10 times what he’ll make in his first season.

Thomas Müller to Vancouver Whitecaps, here we go! Deal done for German legend to join MLS side.

Two year deal in place for Müller who won’t retire and starts new chapter in MLS as he wanted.

Deal agreed as @TomBogert and BILD reported, Müller said yes today. pic.twitter.com/ff9eA9yksA
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 29, 2025

Whitecaps Are Pulling “An Inter Miami” Move

This approach mirrors what Inter Miami is currently doing with midfielder Rodrigo De Paul. In his previous contract with Atlético Madrid, De Paul earned over $7.7 million annually — far more than what most MLS clubs can pay under league rules.

To stay within the league’s salary structure, Miami is reportedly using TAM to fund part of De Paul’s deal this season. Then, when Sergio Busquets’ contract expires in 2026, De Paul is expected to take over that Designated Player slot — unless Jordi Alba leaves first.

These roster mechanisms aren’t new, but they remain controversial. Much like salary caps in other North American sports, they’re designed to maintain competitive balance. However, in global soccer — where salary caps don’t exist — these restrictions have long been criticized for preventing MLS clubs from attracting top-tier international stars.

And for that reason, many of those stars continue to look elsewhere.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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