MLS’ biggest superstar signings – from Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi to David Beckham
There have been plenty of superstar additions to Major League Soccer over the years and Daily Star Sport will comb through the biggest signings the league has made
The news of Lionel Messi making the move stateside to join Inter Miami has shocked the football world to its core.
Arguably the greatest football player ever will now be plying his trade in Major League Soccer (MLS) for the remaining years of his career.
However, this isn’t the first time the American league has been able to secure the services of some of Europe’s top players and it certainly won’t be the last.
World Cup winners such as Thierry Henry, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa all spent several years in America as well as Champions League winners such as David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, and Frank Lampard.
Lionel Messi
Arguably the greatest player in football history, the Argentine has had a storied 19-year career in Europe and at 35 years old, Messi is set to take his talents to the MLS with Inter Miami.
David Beckham
The England legend arguably paved the way for future superstars to make the move to America after his famed transfer to LA Galaxy in 2007. Beckham is now the owner of MLS club, Inter Miami, who’ve secured the services of one Lionel Messi.
Steven Gerrard
The former Liverpool captain, who led his boyhood side for 11 years, ended his legendary career in America, spending his last two years as a player with LA Galaxy where he netted five goals in 39 games.
Frank Lampard
Chelsea’s all-time leading goal-scorer also ended his career abroad with New York City FC where he showed his instincts for goal, netting 12 in 19 appearances in his last season.
Thierry Henry
The World Cup winner had a four-year stint with the New York Red Bulls after leaving Barcelona in 2010 and solidified himself in the club’s history, after scoring 52 goals in 135 games, as well as securing the Supporters’ Shield in 2013.
Wayne Rooney
The Englishman left his homeland as Manchester United’s record goal-scorer and adored himself to DC United fans during the 2018/19 season. Rooney is now the club’s coach after a two-year managerial stint with Derby County.
Kaka
The 2007 Ballon d’Or became the highest-paid player in MLS history when he signed with Orlando City, as the Brazilian earned $6.6million (£5.3million) in the three-year stint he spent at the club before returning to his home country.
Andrea Pirlo
The midfield great left Italian football after 20 years to join Frank Lampard at New York City FC in 2015, where Pirlo spent the last two years of his career before calling time on his iconic career and becoming a manager.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The 41-year-old retired this past week after a stunning career that included two goal-laden seasons with LA Galaxy where the Swede scored a whopping 53 goals in just 58 games for the club.
Gareth Bale
The Welshman was another player that ended his career stateside as he played just 13 games for Los Angeles FC, scoring three goals but is perhaps responsible for their greatest ever moment as he scored their winning goal on the way to lifting the MLS Cup in 2022.
Bastian Schweinsteiger
The German World Cup winner signed with the Chicago Fire in 2017 after an underwhelming stint with Manchester United as the midfielder guided the side back to the playoffs in his debut season after a five-year drought.
David Villa
The striker truly lived up to his reputation after joining New York City FC in 2015 as the four seasons he spent at the club were filled with goals, as the Spaniard netted 80 in just 126 appearances before retiring in Japan in 2019.
