As one of the youngest soccer leagues in the world that is situated in what is perhaps the biggest untapped market for the sport, there is an understandable allure to playing in Major League Soccer (MLS). Beyond the eye-watering sums of money American teams often throw at foreign players, the opportunity to develop the sport in a relatively under-developed market has an obvious appeal which draws many players away from their homeland.
For MLS fans watching the soccer odds closely, there is also an obvious interest in the coming and going of foreign players — particularly given the impact these players can have on a team’s success in relatively little time. As the European transfer windows are set to open in the coming weeks, these same fans will be watching the news feeds particularly closely as they try and lock in the best odds for the next season.
Given that we find ourselves just a few weeks away from the opening of the European transfer windows — which starts officially on July 1st — now is the perfect time to start thinking about some of the international players we might see crossing the pond to set up in the MLS for the foreseeable future.
Lionel Messi
One player who has long been rumored as a future MLS player is Lionel Messi. This rumor has featured persistently on news websites for quite some time, with Inter Miami predicted to be the future home for the talented Argentinian.
Messi teased this possibility as far back as 2018 when he sent club owner David Beckham a congratulatory message when news broke that they would play in 2020.
Messi also has strong ties to Miami, particularly given that he currently owns a multi-million-dollar condo located right on Miami Beach. As such, Miami might prove to be the perfect location to spend his last two or three playing years before he rides off into the sunset.
Having just recently suffered defeat in the Champions League against former Barcelona rival Real Madrid, however, Messi might choose to stay with PSG a little bit longer — at least until he can avenge this loss. Nevertheless, Miami remains a solid early-retirement option for Messi regardless of when he decides to make the switch.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Another obvious superstar signing any MLS team would be lucky to score is Cristiano Ronaldo.
Although he is currently signed with Manchester United for the foreseeable future, there is no getting around the fact that Ronaldo is getting on in years. Now aged 37, it is arguably the perfect time for the Portuguese legend to make the switch to the MLS for a year or two to cash in on his last lucrative playing years.
While this would obviously not do much for the MLS as a whole in terms of confirming it as a de-facto ‘retirement league’ for seasoned European players, it would nevertheless represent a huge boost for the sport in the country.
Antoine Griezmann
Another more left-of-field, if not completely wishful and unrealistic, future signing is Antoine Griezmann.
Although lacking the star power of the Messi or Ronaldo, Griezmann could nevertheless do a lot for any MLS team. Griezmann is currently signed with Atlético Madrid, although he is still on loan from Barcelona. He has also had a glittering career with the French national side, during which time he has made 107 appearances and scored 42 goals.
A close teammate of Griezmann’s — Blaise Matuidi — has made the jump from the European leagues to the MLS and has enjoyed considerable success there.
However, tempting Griezmann to cross the pond could take considerable effort — particularly given that he is still in his prime playing years at the age of 31.
Mario Balotelli
Although some have been crying out for years for the Italian Mario Balotelli to sign with an MLS team, he has thus far resisted.
However, an argument could be made that Balotelli’s enigmatic personality — in addition to his playing style — would be well suited to the American market. In particular, Balotelli is a polarizing figure within footballing circles and tends to stir up controversy and media attention no matter what he does.
For an MLS team keen to raise the profile of their team, however, this could just what they need. Balotelli is also just 31 years old and is relatively cheap compared to other European players the MLS might sign.
With this in mind, Balotelli is an affordable option for an interested MLS club that could bring considerable value both on and off the pitch.
