Thomas Muller follows footsteps from Messi, Beckham and Ibrahimovic in MLS
Inter Miami Vooruit Lionel Messi, Center, accused by Necaxa Forward Raul Sanchez, Left, and midfielder Jose Rodriguez, during the first half of a Leagues Cup football match earlier this month in Fort Lauderdale, FLA.Rebecca Blackwell/The Associated Press
Newly beaten Vancouver Whitecap Thomas Muller is the newest worldwide superstar that struggled to Major League Soccer.
With his expected arrival in Vancouver on Wednesday and the official introduction Thursday, the Canadian press looks at other big names whose signing sessions have made MLS teams splashing over the years.
Didier Drogba, CF Montreal (Dan Montreal Impact)
The legend of Chelsea and Ivory Coast was at the back of his career, but left his mark in Montreal. Drogba, de vierde toonaangevende scorer aller tijden van Chelsea en een viervoudig Premier League-titelwinnaar, werd uitgeroepen tot finalist voor MLS Newcomer of the Year na het afronden van het seizoen 2015 met 11 doelpunten, waaronder vier game-winnende doelen, in slechts 11 wedstrijden, in slechts 11 wedstrijden, in slechts 11 wedstrijden, in slechts 11 wedstrijden, in slechts 11 wedstrijden, in slechts 11 wedstrijden, In just 11 games, in just 11 games, in just 11 games, in just 11 games, in just 11 games, in just 11 games, in just 11 games, in just 11 games, in just 11 games, in just 11 games.
Lorenzo Insigne, Toronto FC
The Italian brought a lot of excitement to Toronto when his signing was announced. Insigne drew a four -year -old deal who made him the best paid player in the competition for US $ 15 million a year.
The addition of the star that Italy had helped to win the European championship in 2020, however, did not translate into success on the field for TFC, because the team never ended better than 11th in the classification of the Eastern Conference. He had 15 goals and 10 assists in 66 games before he agreed earlier this year with a mutual termination of the club.
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami
Undoubtedly the greatest player of all time, Messis signing In July 2023, Miami made the big team of the competition. After a legendary career in Barcelona, a short period with Paris Saint-Germain and a World Cup profit for Argentina in 2022, Messi League MVP won in his first full season in South Florida in 2024. The 38-year-old is bound for the League-Leags despite a recent blessure.
Co-owner of Inter Miami, David Beckham and his son Romeo James Beckham, stand for the national anthem for a regular season match between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC in Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 12, 2025.Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty images
David Beckham, La Galaxy
Beckham made it worldwide the headlines when he put pen on paper to play for the Galaxy in 2007 after a second stint with the Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid. The English legend, who had won six Premier League titles with Manchester United and a Champions League trophy, brought more than glitter to the competition. He helped the Galaxy to back-to-back MLS titles in 2011 and 2012 before he finished his career at Paris Saint-Germain.
Thierry Henry, New York Red Bulls
The Frenchman, one of the biggest strikers to ever adorn the Premier League and a second place for the Ballon d’Or in 2003 and 2004, while playing for Arsenal in July 2010, signed with New York. He was a triple All-Star All-Star of 2011-2013, a finalist for MLS MVP in 2012 and the Red Bulls Clinch in 2013.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, La Galaxy
The Swedish striker made a good impression when he got a signed advertisement on the full page in the Los Angeles Times to announce his arrival in March 2018.
Ibrahimovic played and won trophies with people such as Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United before his arrival. In his two seasons in LA, Ibrahimovic scored 52 goals and 17 assists in 56 games in the regular season, he was named Dual All-Star and was named MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2018.
Wayne Rooney, DC United
The leading target scorer of Manchester United (253 goals) arrived in Washington in June 2018, DC after a short return to Everton in the Premier League. He was named Team MVP and his Golden Boot winner, who led the team with 12 goals in 21 games in his debut campaign in MLS. He closed his two-year stay with 23 goals in 48 performances and went out after a play-off loss to Toronto in October 2019.
More Star Power: other global stars to make an impact in MLS are David Villa and Andrea Pirlo (New York City FC), Kaká (Orlando City), Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane (La Galaxy) and Bastian Schweinsteiger (Chicago Fire).
