Over the last decade or so, the MLS has attracted a number of big name players, since franchises were allowed an allocation to pay higher salaries to a certain number of ‘elite’ players as a way of attracting more interest.
Starting with David Beckham (LA Galaxy), we have seen numerous others follow in his footsteps, including Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls), Kaka (Orlando City), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy) who is a Betway ambassador and more recently, global superstar, Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF).
Since the MLS became a destination for top players in the twilight of their career, there have been challengers including China, which has since declined in popularity and now, most recently, Saudi Arabia has emerged from the shadows to attract some of the biggest names.
However, the MLS clearly has its attractions for Europe’s best players nearing the end of their careers, including a nice lifestyle and, in some cases, a good climate. Though, the standard of the MLS has improved considerably over the years and below we have come up with five names who you could see plying their trade in the US soon.
Kevin De Bruyne
Having just announced his intentions to leave Manchester City at the end of the season, the Belgian maestro has been linked to the MLS over the last year and it is understood that San Diego FC have held ‘preliminary talks’ with him, where his ex-Chelsea teammate, Juan Mata is a part-owner.
Man City star Kevin de Bruyne held shock talks with an MLS club 😳🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/o4ky7lUx7y
— Mail Sport (@MailSport) March 24, 2025
De Bruyne would undoubtedly be the biggest name to sign for the club who would hope to reach the same sort of level as Inter Miami FC where Messi and his ex-Barcelona teammates, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez play. At only 33 and based on the slower pace of the MLS, De Bruyne could very easily become one of the most effective players in the competition and blow opponents out of the water.
Jordan Henderson
An interesting one and certainly from left-field though a switch to the MLS for Henderson could actually be a smart move for him. The former Liverpool mdfielder has nothing left to prove having won everything there is to win at club level – he’s tried Saudi Arabia before being plucked back into Europe by Ajax and he was recently re-selected in the England squad by new manager Thomas Tuchel.
It is unlikely that he will appear at the World Cup next year and at 34, he’s at around the right age in terms of profile of top players that move to the MLS and, he might enjoy the lifestyle at a US franchise as he begins to contemplate his post retirement plans.
Mohammed Salah
Noone really knows what Salah will do at the end of the season, though, he’s another like ex-Liverpool teammate, Henderson who has nothing left to prove. He has been linked with Saudi Arabia for a big payday, though he could also do what Messi did and move to the MLS and negotiate his own deal that includes a percentage of ticket and merchandising sales.
Effectively, this for Messi, has worked out to be just as lucrative as a move to Saudi Arabia.