Major League Soccer has been home to several of the world's best players. From Zlatan Ibrahimovic to David Beckham, stars of past and present joined to revolutionize the league in their own way.
Lionel Messi will be no different, as the greatest player of all time joins Inter Miami to leave his mark on MLS. But before he arrives, let's take a look back at the top 10 best players to have played in the league...
10. David Villa - NYCFC
Appearances: 652
Goals: 339
Assists: 87
David Villa was legendary in La Liga and brought his goal scoring prowess to MLS. Spain's all time leading goalscorer led the line for the Blues upon arriving from Atletico Madrid.
Villa shined in front of the NYCFC supporters, netting 77 goals during his stint to but the Citiyenz on the map.
9. Robbie Keane - LA Galaxy
Appearances: 505
Goals: 227
Assists: 73
The Ireland international became an icon for LA Galaxy after joining in 2011 from Tottenham Hotspur. Keane went on to become the club's second highest ever goal scorer with 104 goals, winning three MLS Cups in Hollywood.
8. Kaka - Orlando City
Club Appearances: 402
Goals: 126
Assists: 93
Orlando City signed Kaka in 2015 following his stints at AC Milan and Real Madrid. The Brazil international and former Ballon d'Or winner put Orlando City in the spotlight in their first season in MLS.
7. Andrea Pirlo - NYCFC
Appearances: 554
Goals: 59
Assists: 97
Andrea Pirlo signed with NYCFC after an illustrious career in Italy with the likes of AC Milan and Juventus. The Italian may very well be the most technically gifted player to grace MLS alongside Lionel Messi.
6. Frank Lampard - NYCFC
Appearances: 638
Goals: 192
Assists: 105
Frank Lampard showed up in the Big Apple after almost 20 years of experience in the Premier League. He teamed up with David Villa and got fans off their seats at Yankee Stadium.
Lampard enjoyed a solid 2016 season with NYCFC, scoring 12 goals and three assists.
5. Wayne Rooney - D.C. United
Appearances: 569
Goals: 237
Assists: 119
One of Manchester United's best ever players came across the pond to sign with D.C. United in 2018, scoring 12 goals and seven assists in his first season in the nation's capital.
Following his retirement from playing football, Rooney became the head coach of D.C. United after a brief spell at Derby County.
4. Thierry Henry - New York Red Bulls
Appearances: 573
Goals: 281
Assists: 128
After his decorated stints with Arsenal and Barcelona, Thierry Henry opted to go stateside with NYRB. The Frenchman put eyes on Red Bull Arena upon his arrival when they won the 2013 Supporter's Shield.
3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic - LA Galaxy
Appearances: 605
Goals: 392
Assists: 136
If it weren't for David Beckham and Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic would probably be the most influential MLS player ever.
After playing for top European sides in PSG, Manchester United, Barcelona and both Milan clubs, Zlatan Ibrahimovic joined the most successful club in MLS and set the league on fire. The Lion has scored over 350 goals in his club career and didn't disappoint in Hollywood.
2. David Beckham - LA Galaxy
Appearances: 518
Goals: 95
Assists: 153
David Beckham took some time off from European football and joined LA Galaxy in 2007, last playing for Real Madrid. His move to MLS sent shockwaves around the world as the league was still young and further inspired other big names to come to the league.
1. Lionel Messi - Inter Miami
Appearances: 789
Goals: 659
Assists: 284
Although Lionel Messi hasn't played for Inter Miami yet, he is comfortably the best player on the list to join an MLS club. Messi's decision to join Miami was perhaps the biggest day in the league's history, as the greatest footballer ever chose MLS over Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal and a return to Barcelona.
This article was originally published on 90min as The top 10 best players to join MLS - ranked.
