The MLS has never been one of the best leagues in the world but is soon becoming one. In a country where baseball and American football are the most popular, football still holds its own. Arguably the best player in the world, Lionel Messi has joined the league this season with Inter Miami. Find the list of the best MLS players of all time.
10. David Beckham
When David Beckham joined the LA Galaxy in 2007, he permanently altered the league. His entrance contributed to Major League Soccer’s transformation and to the advent of the Designated Player rule. The Designated Player rule—also referred to as the “Beckham rule”—allowed teams to compete in the global football market for great players since they were now permitted to have three players whose wages were paid outside of the salary cap. Beckham scored 18 goals in 98 appearances for Major League Soccer. He was one of the all-time greats at executing set pieces, won two MLS Cups, and was twice awarded the greatest player in the league.
9. Jeff Agoos
Jeff Agoos, one of the finest defenders in Major League Soccer history, set a record by winning a record-tying five MLS Cups. He won two times with San Jose and three times with DC United. Agoos was able to read the game well because he had a high football IQ. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009 after winning the MLS Defender of the Year Award in 2001.
8. Carlos Valderrama
One of the finest MLS players ever and attacking midfielder Carlos Valderrama has one of the best hairstyles ever. In 177 games, he contributed 114 assists altogether. The record for most assists in a season belongs to Valderrama, who had 26 in the 2000 campaign. One of the most unbreakable records in the MLS is thought to exist here.
7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
In the first El Trafico rivalry, one of the most intense MLS rivalries, Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his MLS debut in 2018. Ibrahimovic assisted the Galaxy’s comeback victory over LAFC (4-3) by scoring twice, including his first 45-yard goal of the year and a header in stoppage time. Ibrahimovic, who entered Major League Soccer in his late 30s, is still regarded as one of the greatest MLS players of all time. Before joining AC Milan, he scored an astounding 53 goals in 58 games.
6. David Villa
After joining New York City FC as their first-ever player in 2014, David Villa rose to become one of the greatest MLS players of all time. Villa was still more than capable of competing in Europe at the time, even though he was just 32 years old. With 117 games and 77 goals towards the end of his Major League Soccer career, he took home the 2016 MVP trophy.
5. Diego Valeri
Diego Valeri is not only one of the greatest players in MLS history, but he is also probably the most technically talented player to ever play the game. He also had the ability to both score and set up goals.Valeri is a Portland Timbers icon, having scored 100 goals for the team in all competitions and becoming only the third player in history to do so. He received the MVP award in 2017 after winning the MLS Cup in 2015.
4. Robbie Keane
One of the greatest MLS players of all time and the most successful foreign import brought in under the Designated Player rule is former Tottenham superstar Robbie Keane.The Irish striker joined the LA Galaxy in 2011, and in just 125 games of Major League Soccer, he had already scored 83 goals. Keane earned three MLS Cups and the 2014 MVP award.
3. Sebastian Giovinco
Sebastian Giovinco, a former Juventus player, significantly transformed Toronto FC. Despite being only 5-foot-4 (1.63m) tall, Giovinco was one of the finest free-kick shooters the game has ever seen. He was also speedy and technically skilled. Giovinco won the Golden Boot and MVP trophies in 2015. He concluded his Major League Soccer career with 68 goals from 114 league appearances, leading Toronto to their first-ever MLS Cup in 2017.
2. Chris Wondolowski
Chris Wondolowski, who spent the most of his career with the San Jose Earthquakes, is the league’s all-time leading scorer with 171 goals in 413 MLS games. Despite not having a famous name like some others on the list, Wondolowski was a reliable goal scorer. He finished his career with two MLS Cups, two MLS Golden Boots, and 2012 MVP honours.
1. Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan is without a doubt the best MLS player of all time. The 340 Major League Soccer games played by the thirteen-time MLS All-Star resulted in 147 goals and 136 assists throughout his career. Donovan, a master of the midfield, was incredibly productive throughout his whole career and improved as he got older. He has won six MLS Cups on an individual basis, including two with the San Jose Earthquakes and four with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Major League Soccer changed the name of the annual MVP award to the “Landon Donovan MVP Award” in recognition of Donovan’s influence, making him the all-time best player in MLS.
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