Lionel Messi is about to grow to be a part of the subsequent chapter of males’s soccer in North America.
With a World Cup on the horizon in 2026, Messi’s announcement Wednesday that he’ll be part of Main League Soccer’s Inter Miami is one other landmark second for the league and the game in the USA.
However he is solely the newest big-name worldwide participant to deliver his abilities to the US. This is a have a look at others who’ve come earlier than him:
PEL
Edson Arantes do Nascimento was already a three-time World Cup champion and undoubtedly the very best participant on this planet when he left Brazil in 1975 for the possibility to be the face of soccer in North America.
The usual-bearer of the gorgeous recreation joined the New York Cosmos of the NASL. He was 34 on the time and maybe not The King. However he was nonetheless a commanding presence on the sector and his title introduced a buzz the game lacked in North America.
Pel scored 64 targets in three season for the Cosmos, main them to the 1977 league title. His closing recreation was an exhibition performed on Oct. 1, 1977, between the Cosmos and Santos, the Brazilian membership he spent components of three a long time taking part in for in his house nation. Among the many dignitaries available was maybe the one different athlete whose renown spanned the globe Muhammad Ali.
DAVID BECKHAM
David Beckham’s arrival within the US helped present validity for Main League Soccer.
Beckham was 31 and had simply completed 4 seasons at Actual Madrid when he joined the LA Galaxy in 2007. It was essentially the most profitable deal the league had seen to this point and laid the inspiration for Beckham to grow to be the eventual proprietor of Inter Miami.
Beckham spent components of six seasons in Los Angeles with a few stints at AC Milan blended in. Beckham helped the Galaxy to 2 MLS Cup titles, showing in 98 common season video games and one other 17 within the MLS playoffs. Beckham returned to Europe to shut out his profession at PSG.
FRANZ BECKENBAUER
Pel was the primary large worldwide participant to name the NASL house. Beckenbauer was the subsequent.
Beckenbauer adopted in Pele’s footsteps by becoming a member of the New York Cosmos for 4 seasons starting in 1977. The Cosmos gained the league championship 3 times with Beckenbauer on their roster. He returned to Germany for 2 seasons earlier than rejoining the Cosmos for his closing season as a participant in 1983.
Beckenbauer made his title internationally taking part in for West Germany and continentally in Europe taking part in for Bayern Munich. However his impression in America was such that Beckenbauer was inducted into the US Soccer Corridor of Fame in 1998.
JOHAN CRUYFF
Johan Cruyff acknowledged he retired too early after turning into a global star taking part in for Ajax and Barcelona. His temporary retirement led to 1979 when he signed with the Los Angeles Aztecs of the NASL. He was voted the league’s participant of the yr in his one season in Los Angeles after scoring 14 targets in 22 matches.
He stayed within the NASL in 1980 however moved to affix the Washington Diplomats. Cruyff performed the 1980 season and 5 video games in 1981 with the Diplomats earlier than returning to the Netherlands and shutting out his profession taking part in for Ajax and Feyenoord.
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC
Right here, I’m like a Ferrari amongst Fiats.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was in MLS for less than two seasons with the LA Galaxy, however they have been two spectacularly memorable seasons full of cockiness, showmanship, panache, and a few spectacular targets.
Ibrahimovic scored a objective from almost midfield in his first match towards rival LAFC. In 2019 at age 37, Ibrahimovic scored 30 targets in 31 matches together with two hat tips and 6 matches with two targets.
Ibrahimovic additionally turned one other instance of a participant utilizing MLS as a springboard to return to Europe and discover success. Ibrahimovic spent his closing 4 seasons again at AC Milan, the place he scored 34 targets in 64 video games and gained a Serie A title in 2022.
THIERRY HENRY
Thierry Henry was lengthy faraway from his days as a star for Arsenal when he joined the New York Pink Bulls in 2010. Henry spent components of 5 seasons in New York and whereas the Pink Bulls did win the Supporters’ Protect in 2013, Henry’s impression on the sector did not match the billing. Henry scored 51 targets in 121 common season matches in New York.
However Henry’s time in New York was vital as a result of it stored the pipeline from Europe Open after Beckham’s transfer in 2007. Henry additionally stayed concerned within the league after his taking part in profession ended as the top coach for one season in Montreal.
WAYNE ROONEY
After setting each goal-scoring file at Manchester United and making a short return to his boyhood membership Everton, Wayne Rooney arrived in America with D.C. United in 2018 at age 32. Rooney performed 1 season in Washington, scoring 23 targets in 48 common season appearances, however his reference to the membership went past what he supplied on the sector.
Following a short return to England to play for Derby County as a player-coach, Rooney returned to D.C. United in the summertime of 2022 as the top coach for the membership. D.C. United is at present seventh within the Jap Convention standings.
“To actually come right here, again to the MLS, again to D.C. United was an thrilling problem for me and one thing which I really feel can develop me as a coach,” Rooney mentioned upon his return.