With the news that Antoine Griezmann will leave Atletico Madrid and sign for Orlando City at the end of the season, people have understandably been talking about which other star players could join MLS in 2026.
Griezmann has been open about anting to play in the U.S for years, so his move was not exactly a surprise. It’s another coup for Major League Soccer though. Griezmann is a World Cup winner, the all time top scorer for Atletico Madrid, and a huge name in global football.
Yes he’s 35 now, and his contract with Orlando is only for two years with a potential one year extension, but the move proves that MLS is increasingly the first choice option for star players in the final phase of their careers.
So, Griezmann is confirmed, but who else could be joining him for the second half of the 2026 season?
Mo Salah
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The Liverpool legend and the English Premier League’s 4th highest scorer of all time is leaving England at the end of the 2025/26 season. Aged 33 (34 in June) and still performing at an incredibly high level, competition for his signature will be hot.
No club holds discovery rights, but LAFC, LA Galaxy, and San Diego FC have all been linked. LAFC have an open designated player spot, while San Diego FC is backed by an Egyptian born billionaire in Mohamed Mansour which could help since Salah is also Egyptian.
However, his background as a Muslim also makes him a prime target for the Saudi Pro League. He is typical of the sort of player they like to sign: high impact, high profile, and an excellent representative of that culture and faith. Plus, lots of ex-Liverpool players he played with are already in teams like Al Hilal and Al Nassr, so it would be easier to settle in over there. They could obviously pay well too.
On top of that, the Egyptian director of football has spoken out warning Salah about a move to Major League Soccer, saying the league was “too far out of the spotlight”. That’s a bit rich considering who it is coming from, but it may impact Salah’s decision.
Likelihood: 4/10
Casemiro
Out of all of the rumours circulating at the moment, Casemiro to MLS seems the most likely to happen.
The Brazilian star has announced that he is definitely leaving Manchester United at the end of the season, and he has no intention of retiring, so it’s simply a matter of where he goes.
The midfield legend is only 34, so he has plenty of time left if he moves to a less demanding league. This makes him a great target for many clubs, but it is Inter Miami and LA Galaxy that have been most strongly linked with the player. However, neither have designated player spots available and only limited allocation money, which could complicate things.
Casemiro is said to be keen on the U.S. though. He is attracted to the lifestyle in the U.S., and the fact that Major League Soccer is still competitive and high profile. It will certainly stay that way if Casemiro does make the move.
Likelihood: 7/10
Robert Lewandowski
The Polish forward has been at Barcelona since 2022, but his contract is up soon. Barcelona have offered him a one year extension, but at a heavily reduced salary.
Lewandowski is 37, and his goal tally for the 2025/26 season is much lower than usual, which may well be a sign that his time in the top leagues has come to an end. However, he has spoken openly about his family being settled in Barcelona. They love the lifestyle, the weather, and the football, which, combined with the contract offer, makes any move more difficult to call.
Nevertheless, Chicago Fire have reportedly already been in talks with Lewandowski, offering him a 2 year deal. They hold his discovery rights, and Chicago also has the largest Polish community in America, so the move would no doubt go down well with fans who would make him feel very welcome. Rumours about Juventus are also in full swing, and the Saudi Pro League is inevitably being brought into the conversation too, but that doesn’t feel like a fit for Lewandowski.
A final pay day might be attractive, and if he did it anywhere it feels like MLS is the most likely destination, but the real question is whether or not he will leave Barcelona now a new contract has been offered, albeit a less financially attractive one.
Likelihood: 5/10
Bernardo Silva
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Bernardo Silva, the captain at Manchester City, has announced he will be leaving the club in the Summer.
Inevitably this has caused a flurry of activity in the transfer market, and MLS is one destination that has been suggested as a possibility. It is Chicago Fire who have thrown their hat into the ring already, apparently with a very aggressive offer, but other teams are potentially monitoring his situation too.
However, Silva will only be 32 when he leaves Manchester City, and the likes of Barcelona, Juventus, Napoli, and Atletico Madrid are all said to be keen for his signature too. I would be surprised if he chose the U.S. over another couple of years in Europe, although MLS could well be his next stop when he reaches his mid-thirties.
Likelihood: 1/10