Messi is going to the USA to finish his career. Which other stars have played in the MLS?

Lionel Messi has decided to pack up his European career and move to the USA to play for Inter Miami. He’s not alone in taking this route, which other stars have featured in the MLS?

David Beckham

Arguably the most famous player in MLS history who sort of paved the way for European stars to come to America. Then he also started a new club, Inter Miami, where Lionel Messi is now coming.

Thierry Henry

Another famous footballer who decided to end his career in America is Thierry Henry. He played 122 games for the New York Red Bulls, scoring 51 goals and making the MLS top eleven three times.

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney too has left a huge mark in MLS. In 2018, he transferred to D.C. United, where he scored 23 goals in 48 games.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

A god who just retired. He played in the MLS for LA Galaxy, where he netted a staggering 52 goals in 56 games, which is almost an average of one goal per game.

Gareth Bale

The freshest star to leave the MLS. Gareth Bale came to Los Angeles FC last summer and while he only spent six months there, he immediately helped lead them to a trophy.

Kaká

The Brazilian playmaker is also headed to the US to finish his career. The last Ballon d’Or winner before the Ronaldo-Messi era went to Orlando in 2014 and played there until the end of his career in 2017.

Andrea Pirlo

The comfortable life in America has also attracted an Italian maestro named Andrea Pirlo. In 2015, he left for New York City FC, where he played for four seasons.

Didier Drogba

One of Chelsea’s biggest legends left for the Montreal Impact in 2015. Drogba scored 21 goals in 33 games.

Frank Lampard

Lampard is considered one of the best midfielders of his generation. After 13 years at Chelsea, he left for New York City FC, where he scored 15 goals in 29 games.

Steven Gerrard

The Liverpool legend has chosen Los Angeles as a destination to finish his career. Gerrard played for the local Galaxy

Other MLS stars:

Bastian Schweinsteiger, David Villa, Carlos Vela, Alexandre Pato, Lothar Matthaus, Lorenzo Insigne, Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Valderrama.

Source: MLS