Lionel Messi is rumoured to turn into the newest famous person to maneuver to the MLS, with the Instances reporting that the Argentina ahead will be a part of Inter Miami.
Messi is out of contract with Paris Saint-Germain on the finish of the season and has been regularly linked with a return to Barcelona, having left the Blaugrana in 2021.
However Inter Miami are stated to be “assured” the 35-year-old will signal following the conclusion of the World Cup in Qatar, the place he has scored in each of Argentina’s group stage matches, although he wouldn’t transfer till the conclusion of PSG’s season.
Ought to the transfer materialise, Messi would be a part of a bunch of massive names to ply their commerce in the US. Listed below are a number of the most notable examples.
1 – Lionel Messi is now each the youngest (18y 357d vs Serbia in 2006) and the oldest (35y 155d vs Mexico as we speak) participant to each rating and help in a single World Cup sport because the begin of the 1966 event. Longevity. pic.twitter.com/e6Ak6fmI8l
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 26, 2022
David Beckham
The previous England captain shocked the world when he swapped Actual Madrid for LA Galaxy in 2007, although his blockbuster transfer actually put the MLS on the map.
Beckham made 118 appearances throughout his five-year spell with Galaxy, scoring 20 objectives, whereas serving to the franchise to successive MLS Cup triumph in his last two seasons.
Thierry Henry
Arsenal and France’s all-time main scorer scored 52 objectives in 135 video games for the New York Purple Bulls between 2010 and 2014, serving to them win the 2013 Supporters’ Protect and making 4 All-Star appearances.
Henry additionally coached Montreal Influence from 2019 to 2021, guiding them into the playoffs throughout his solely full season in cost.
David Villa
Spain’s all-time main marksman grew to become New York Metropolis’s first signing when he joined from Atletico Madrid forward of their debut MLS season in 2015.
A four-time All-Star, Villa would go on to attain 80 objectives in 126 appearances earlier than departing for Japanese facet Vissel Kobe on the finish of the 2018 season.
Welcome to New York Metropolis: David Villa (@Guaje7Villa) formally indicators as #NYCFC‘s first ever participant. #VillatoNYCFC pic.twitter.com/zzR3gEbmTV
— New York Metropolis Soccer Membership (@NYCFC) June 2, 2014
Kaka
The previous Ballon d’Or winner grew to become Orlando Metropolis’s first designated participant when he agreed to affix the brand new franchise in 2014.
Kaka performed 78 occasions for Metropolis, scoring 25 objectives, whereas he was an All-Star in every of his three seasons.
Andrea Pirlo
A a number of Scudetto winner with Milan and Juventus, Pirlo was unable to really depart his mark on the MLS throughout his stint with New York Metropolis.
Nonetheless, the previous Italy midfielder did assist the franchise attain the playoffs in 2016 and 2017, whereas racking up 62 appearances and netting as soon as.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ibrahimovic actually hit the bottom working after switching Manchester United for LA Galaxy, scoring twice on his debut in a 4-3 win over rivals Los Angeles FC, together with a 45-yard screamer.
That set the tone for a prolific two-year spell for the previous Sweden worldwide, who netted 53 occasions in 58 appearances earlier than returning to Italy for a second stint at Milan.
Wayne Rooney
England’s all-time main scorer helped D.C. United attain the play-offs in his first season after becoming a member of from Everton in 2018, whereas he’ll all the time be remembered for his last-ditch sort out and cross-field help to Luciano Acosta that sealed a dramatic 3-2 win over Orlando Metropolis.
Rooney scored 25 objectives in 52 appearances for United and, following a spell at Derby County, he returned to the franchise as head coach in July.
It’s official. Welcome to @dcunited, @WayneRooney!@England‘s all-time main goal-scorer is ready to affix #DCU. pic.twitter.com/gOe6q7R1DE
— Main League Soccer (@MLS) June 28, 2018
Gonzalo Higuain
A league title winner with Actual Madrid and Juventus, Higuain swapped Italy for the States in September 2020.
Regardless of lacking a penalty on his debut in opposition to Philadelphia Union, the previous Argentina striker went on to attain 29 objectives in 70 appearances earlier than retiring on the finish of the 2022 MLS season.