A number of iconic players have decided to spend the back end of their careers in the MLS. And Lorenzo Insigne, at 30, is set to become the latest to join the list of such players. In this article, we take a look at the best XI to ever play in the American league.
Best XI to ever play in the MLS
GK: Julio Cesar
Cesar featured for Inter Milan’s Champions League winning side and won five Serie A titles with them too. The Brazilian only made seven MLS appearances on loan at Toronto FC. But, due to his accomplishments, he is certainly among the top keepers to ever play in the division.
CB: Alessandro Nesta
Nesta was among the best defenders at the turn of the century and featured for Montreal from 2012 to 2013. He was known for his remarkable tackling and composure on the ball, before ending his career with Chennaiyin FC in India.
CB: Rafael Marquez
The Mexican icon featured for New York for three years before eventually returning to his home country. He is renowned as one of the greatest footballers to ever play for his country, and has played for Barcelona and Monaco in Europe.
CB: Alphonso Davies
Although he featured as a winger for Vancouver Whitecaps, and currently, a left-back for Bayern Munich, Davies remains one of the best to ever play in the MLS considering the impact he has made at such a young age already. He has already been recognised as Canada’s best footballer, and has a remarkable career ahead of him.
LM: Kaka
The Brazilian icon featured for Real Madrid and AC Milan at the peak of his abilities, and eventually moved to Orlando City. He made 78 appearances for the team, scoring 25 goals and providing 19 assists during his time with them.
CM: Andrea Pirlo
The Italian playmaker featured for New York City FC after leaving Juventus, and went on to make 60 appearances during his time with the American franchise. Pirlo makes the line-up ahead of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lothar Matthäus.
CM: Steven Gerrard
The Liverpool icon moved to the MLS to spend the final years of his career as a footballer. He spent two years with LA Galaxy before eventually hanging up his boots. Gerrard currently manages Aston Villa in the Premier League.
RM: David Beckham
Featuring for Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain during his career, Beckham was the most expensive player to be brought into the MLS at one point. He owns his own franchise in the MLS now, as the man behind Inter Miami.
ST: Didier Drogba
The Chelsea legend featured for Montreal in the MLS, scoring 21 goals and providing five assists in 33 appearances for the club. The Ivorian remains one of the deadliest strikers to ever play in Europe, and eventually, the MLS.
ST: Thierry Henry
Henry remains France’s highest ever goalscorer, and had a spell with New York Red Bulls before eventually hanging up his boots. The Arsenal legend scored 51 goals in 122 appearances for the Red Bull franchise.
ST: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ibrahimovic featured for LA Galaxy during his time in the American league, and went on to return to Europe to compete at the highest level. And despite being 40, he is still bagging the goals for AC Milan.
