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North America is a major hub for sports fans who are very passionate about the game that they follow. Despite "soccer" not being as famous as the other major sports such as basketball or American football in Canada and the United States, the Major League Soccer is gaining popularity by the day in these countries.
Since the league was founded in 1993, the MLS has undergone several changes and is now at the height of its popularity with the competition garnering more viewers than ever before. Due to its increasing fame, the money, and the lifestyle that major North American cities offer, many famous footballers have been a part of big MLS clubs over the past few years.
Although often seen as a "retirement home", the fact remains that the MLS is indeed the biggest soccer competition in North America, and the presence of some legendary players only serves to increase its reputation.
In this list, we take a look at the five most famous footballers to have played in the competition - there are some legendary names on this list.
#5 Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Los Angeles Galaxy
In terms of performances in the MLS, no one comes close to the quality that Zlatan Ibrahimovic oozed in Los Angeles during his time with the LA Galaxy. Signing for the club in March 2018 after his contract at Manchester United expired, the Swedish international was an instant hit in the league as he scored goals for fun.
Zlatan dominated the league throughout his time in the United States. His accomplishments included a 24-minute hat-trick, the Newcomer of the League award, as well as an All-Star place and inclusion in the MLS Best XI.
The dynamic striker was named team captain ahead of the 2019 season, and he led his team to the Western Conference semi-finals in the MLS Cup Playoffs. The former Barcelona striker scored an astonishing 53 goals in 58 games for his team, making him one of the most prolific players in league history.
In July 2019, Ibrahimović made controversial remarks about the level of play in the MLS, describing himself as "a Ferrari among Fiats" and "by far the best player" in the league. These quotes alone showcase how confident and dominant the Swede was, and he will go down as one of the best players to ever play in the MLS.
#4 Ricardo Kaka - Orlando City
One of the only eight players in history to have won the UEFA Champions League, the FIFA World Cup, and the Ballon d'Or award, Kaka is one of the most loved and respected footballing personalities of all time. He is also the only Ballon d'Or winner to have played in the MLS so far.
The former Milan man signed for Orlando City in 2014 as their first designated player. At the time, Kaka was the best-paid player in MLS history with a base salary of US$6.6 million per year, and with a guaranteed compensation of $7.2 million per year.
Orlando agreed to pay the attacking midfielder so much because they knew about his popularity and recognised his obvious talent. The Brazilian international ended his first season in America with 9 goals and 7 assists in 28 appearances, which was a great return.
Kaka spent 3 years in Orlando, and despite his best efforts, the team could not qualify for the playoffs in all three seasons. Despite his team's lack of success, the former Madrid player was named Most Valuable Player in MLS' All-Star Game in 2015, and he was named an All-Star for all the three years when he was there. He ended his MLS career in 2017 with 78 games played and remains one of the best players in the league's history.
#3 Steven Gerrard - Los Angeles Galaxy
One of the most popular footballers of this century, Steven Gerrard's arrival at MLS was a major headline across the world as the Liverpool legend was departing his boyhood club after almost two decades of service. Liverpool fans across the world let out tears as they said goodbye to their greatest player ever, and Los Angeles welcomed one of the game's best midfielders ever.
Unfortunately for both Gerrard and Los Angeles Galaxy, the former England captain's time in MLS was not as good as European superstars who came to America before him. Although Gerrard played for LA Galaxy for over two years, his time there was marred by injuries and the club could not go all the way in the MLS Playoffs.
Despite that, there were still spells when Stevie G dominated a few games, and Los Angeles fans saw shades of the old Gerrard who used to run rampant across Europe in his prime.
The former Liverpool captain played 38 games in the MLS, and his last action in his career as a player was to dispatch a spot-kick in the MLS Cup Playoff penalty-shootout loss to Colorado Rapids.
He retired from football at the end of his contract, and despite not having the best of times in MLS, he remains one of the most popular players to play in the league.
#2 Thierry Henry - New York Red Bulls
The current manager of MLS team Montreal Impact, Thierry Henry was one of the earliest superstars to make his way to North America and ply his trade in this league. After establishing himself as one of the greatest strikers ever during his spells with Arsenal and Barcelona, Henry made his way to the United States when he signed with the New York Red Bulls in 2010.
No European superstar in history has spent as much time with one MLS team as Henry did - the French international made 135 appearances for his team, netting 52 goals in those games. Despite never winning the league, Henry's impact in MLS and his contributions at New York Red Bulls cannot be underrated. He was a 4 time MLS All-Star, and won the best MLS Player ESPY Award in 2013.
Henry, alongside a certain English superstar, paved the way for European players to come to the MLS, and his goal tally has made the former Arsenal player one of the greatest performers in the competition's history.
#1 David Beckham - Los Angeles Galaxy
Never in any doubt, was it? Although not as good a player as some of the names on this list, David Beckham is a cultural icon who paved the way for superstars to come to America, and he is one of the major reasons why Major League Soccer is as popular as it is today.
Beckham's arrival to the MLS made headlines across the world and elevated the league's profile. The high-profile acquisition paid immediate financial dividends for Galaxy. On the strength of the signing and the media frenzy it created, the club was able to pull off a new five-year shirt sponsorship deal with Herbalife nutrition company worth US$20 million. LA Galaxy owners Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) also reported an immediate spike in business.
The company's CEO Tim Leiweke put it as follows:
"Suddenly, we're known as the company that owns the team that David Beckham is going to play for, so our world changed"
There were several unique contracts given to Beckham - one unique contract provision was giving him the option of buying an MLS expansion franchise in any market except New York City at the fixed price of $25 million whenever he stopped playing in the league.
Another one was the creation of the Designated Player Rule for Beckham to bypass the salary cap; the rule was later nicknamed in his honor.
The former Manchester United player made 118 appearances for the Los Angeles Galaxy, and he won the MLS Cup twice with the club. He is also a two-time winner of the MLS Player of the Year Award, and he (alongside a group of investors) now own the latest MLS team, Inter Miami FC.
It can be said without the shadow of a doubt that no single player has had more impact on the MLS than David Beckham, and his place here at the top of this list is cemented for a long time.
