Since Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, MLS has grow to be a hotbed for among the most high-profile footballers on this planet.
Luis Suarez performs alongside Messi in Miami, whereas Thomas Muller, Son Heung-min and James Rodriguez have all moved to America in current months.
We’ve taken a take a look at seven extra high-profile gamers who may very well be heading to MLS in 2026.
Antoine Griezmann
Griezmann has spent his total skilled profession in Spain, scoring 204 objectives in 552 LaLiga appearances throughout spells at Actual Sociedad, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
However the former France worldwide has by no means hidden his affinity for American tradition and his want to play in MLS earlier than he retires.
“I don’t know with which staff, however I actually wish to play there,” he mentioned again in 2020. “For me it’s an goal to finish my profession in the USA with the potential of enjoying properly and being a giant a part of the staff and preventing for a title.”
Whereas the 34-year-old is beneath contract at Atletico Madrid till 2027, he’s not a assured starter for Diego Simeone and various MLS golf equipment are reportedly monitoring his scenario.
Orlando Metropolis are best-placed to safe his signature as they maintain his MLS discovery rights, which supplies them first declare at signing the ahead. Sporting director and basic supervisor Ricardo Moreira has additionally travelled to Spain to work on the deal.
Even though Atletico Madrid are nonetheless competing for the Champions League and the Copa del Rey in 2025-26, Simeone has refused to rule out a mid-season departure.
“I received’t communicate for [Griezmann]. I like him, I’ve spoken to him about a variety of issues, not simply this problem,” Simeone mentioned.
“I’ve already advised him what I believe. Let’s hope he at all times makes the only option, what he needs, as a result of he deserves all the love, the whole lot that he wants. I believe he’s in a spot the place he deserves to decide on what he needs to do.”
Casemiro
Regardless of being a standout performer for Manchester United in 2025-26, Casemiro is poised to go away Previous Trafford when his contract expires in the summertime.
Former golf equipment Porto and Sao Paulo are reportedly seeking to re-sign him on a free switch, whereas a transfer to the Saudi Professional League would give the 34-year-old a profitable last contract.
America can even emerge as a possible vacation spot, with the approach to life of MLS soccer mentioned to be an enormous draw for the Brazil worldwide, who was just lately in Miami on vacation.
Inter Miami may very well be out there for one more midfielder following Sergio Busquets’ choice to retire on the finish of the 2025 MLS season.
LA Galaxy have additionally been linked with the five-time Champions League winner, who may observe within the footsteps of former United gamers David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
However each Inter Miami and LA Galaxy would wish to create space for him as their three designated participant spots are already occupied.
Bernardo Silva
Silva has loved a trophy-laden profession at Manchester Metropolis, profitable six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, 4 EFL Cups, a Champions League and a FIFA Membership World Cup.
The 31-year-old is the membership captain and stays a key participant beneath Pep Guardiola, however his Metropolis contract is because of expire on the finish of the season.
“I’ve an thought (of what is going to occur), nevertheless it’s not a great time to talk about it,” Silva mentioned when requested about his future. “When the time comes, me and the membership will announce it and you’ll know.”
If he does resolve to convey his nine-year keep on the Etihad to an finish, the Portugal worldwide may have no scarcity of suitors.
Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica and Galatasaray have all been credited with an curiosity within the midfielder.
Chicago Fireplace need to rival these European groups, they usually nonetheless have room for one more designated participant after lacking out on Neymar and Kevin De Bruyne final yr.
They’ve reportedly held talks along with his representatives and are prepared to supply a three-year deal that might see him earn as much as £8.9million per-year.
Mohamed Salah
Since becoming a member of Liverpool from Roma in the summertime of 2017, Salah has established himself as one of many biggest Premier League gamers of all time.
However hypothesis over his future at Anfield has been rife because the 33-year-old spoke to the press in December and claimed to not have a relationship with Arne Slot.
It had been thought that Saudi Arabia could be the more than likely vacation spot for the Egypt worldwide, however a transfer to America may very well be on the playing cards in the summertime.
“The MLS is one other doable vacation spot for him,” Liverpool reporter James Pearce mentioned on The Athletic’s Stroll On podcast. “It’s been steered to me that really is extra interesting in some ways than the Saudi Professional League.”
If he does go to America, San Diego can be among the many favourites to safe his signature as they’re backed by Egyptian-born billionaire Mohamed Mansour.
They can even have a Designated Participant slot obtainable to them as soon as they take away Hirving Lozano from their books.
Philippe Coutinho
Coutinho performed alongside Salah at Liverpool earlier than becoming a member of Barcelona in January 2018 in a deal price as much as £142million, which stays the third most costly switch in historical past.
However he did not justify that price ticket and later had stints at Bayern Munich, Aston Villa and Al-Duhail earlier than returning to boyhood membership Vasco da Gama.
The Brazil worldwide confronted criticism for a few of his performances and has since terminated his contract by mutual consent, making him obtainable on a free switch.
He has acquired a proposal from Russian aspect CSKA Moscow however is prone to reject that, with the 33-year-old now mentioned to be weighing up two choices – a transfer to MLS, or retiring from soccer utterly.
LA Galaxy have reportedly contacted his representatives and will see Coutinho as a alternative for Riqui Puig, who will miss the complete 2026 MLS season after present process one other ACL reconstruction on his left knee.
Robert Lewandowski
Broadly regarded as one of many biggest strikers of his technology, Lewandowski performed an integral position in Barcelona’s profitable 2024-25 marketing campaign, scoring 42 objectives in 52 video games in all competitions.
However he has began simply 10 La Liga video games this season, with Hansi Flick typically preferring the versatile Ferran Torres as his central striker.
His contract is ready to run out on the finish of the season, and Barcelona are reportedly seeking to substitute him with both Harry Kane or Julian Alvarez.
Chicago Fireplace maintain his MLS discovery rights and have been making an attempt to persuade the 37-year-old Poland worldwide to make the transfer.
They reportedly held constructive talks with him in December and extra discussions have adopted, together with a current London assembly between Lewandowski’s agent, Pini Zahavi, and Fireplace proprietor Joe Mansueto.
“He’s a unbelievable participant,” Fireplace supervisor Gregg Berhalter mentioned. “There isn’t any participant who has scored extra objectives than Robert Lewandowski within the final 15 years within the high 5 leagues.
“He does it all over the place he performs. I’m a giant fan of his. I’ve been following him for years and I’m certain that in the event you like soccer and you want objectives, then it’s a must to like Lewandowski.”
Cristiano Ronaldo
Admittedly, this one is much less possible however we’d like to see it.
Ronaldo left Europe following the termination of his Manchester United contract in 2022 and is now enjoying for Saudi Professional League aspect Al Nassr.
However he just lately turned angered by the perceived lack of help that they’ve acquired within the switch market from Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund.
The 41-year-old went on strike for 3 matches, and MLS groups reportedly made preliminary inquiries along with his camp relating to a possible transfer to the USA.
That might see him renew his rivalry with Lionel Messi, having spent years going through one another at Actual Madrid and Barcelona.
Whereas the Portugal worldwide has since reaffirmed his dedication to the Saudi Professional League, he may push for a transfer if Al Nassr don’t spend some huge cash in the summertime.
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