6 Former Premier League Stars Messi Will Join in the MLS Including Kenya’s Wanyama

6 Former Premier League Stars Messi Will Join in the MLS Including Kenya’s Wanyama

Fred Kennedy
updated at June 10, 2023 at 8:21 AM
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  • Lionel Messi is due to play in the Major League Soccer next season after he quit Paris Saint-Germain
  • His move to the US will see him link up with a number of former Premier League stars
  • Carlos Vela, Victor Wanyam, and Javier Hernandez are some of the high-profile players in the MLS

Lionel Messi is due to link up with a number of former Premier League stars in the Major League Soccer this summer.

The Barcelona icon is set to join MLS-based outfit Inter Miami after quitting Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the 2022/23 season.

Messi was initially touted to seal an emotional return to Barcelona, but that will not be happening, with the football icon now in line to spend the sunset years of his glittering career in the US.

Lionel Messi applauds fans during the UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City at Parc des Princes. Photo by Matthias Hangst.
Lionel Messi applauds fans during the UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City at Parc des Princes. Photo by Matthias Hangst.
Source: Getty Images

The Argentina international confirmed the imminent transfer on Wednesday, June 7, per CNN.

Messi's move to the MLS will have him play alongside and against some top former Premier League stars who opted to move to the US.

Sportsbrief takes a look at six football stars who played in the Premier League before their MLS switch.

1. Victor Wanyama

The former Kenyan international moved to the MLS after a long stint in the Premier League, where he plied his trade with the Saints and Spurs.

Wanyama is currently in the books of the Canadian-based outfit Montreal Impact.

2. Javier Hernandez

Hernandez is the other Mexican player in the MLS.

The former Chivas star, who is better known as 'Chicharito', scored more than 50 Premier League goals during his time in the EPL, where he played for Manchester United and West Ham United.

Chicharito joined LA Galaxy in 2020.

3. Xherdan Shaqiri

The Swiss international moved to the US after an illustrious stint in Europe playing for the likes of Lyon, Liverpool and Stoke City.

The left-footed star made more than 100 Premier League appearances.

He is currently playing for Chicago Fire.

4. Kieran Gibbs

Once touted as the next Ashley Cole, Gibbs failed to live up to expectations during his time for Arsenal.

Be that as it may, he still managed 180 Premier League appearances playing for the Gunners and West Brom.

The left-back moved to Inter Miami after quitting West Brom during the 2020/21 campaign.

5. Carlos Vela

The Mexican football star began his career with Arsenal, turning out for them between 2005 and 2012.

He would later move to Spain, where he played for the likes of Real Sociedad, Osasuna, and Celta Vigo.

Vela moved to the MLS in 2018.

6. Christian Fuchs

The left-back was part of Leicester City's Premier League title-winning squad during the 2015/16 season.

Fuchs also won the FA Cup in 2021 before he joined Charlotte FC, who made their MLS debut in 2022.

Lionel Messi’s new club confirmed

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Argentina legend, Lionel Messi will join Inter Miami after his exit from French champions Paris St-Germain.

The former Barcelona forward is set to reject a more lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal. The Miami deal includes collaboration with brands like Adidas and Apple.

Messi, 35, won the Ballon d'Or award for the world's best player seven times and is expected to win it later this year after World Cup success.

Authors
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Fred Kennedy
Fred Kennedy has a Bachelor's degree in journalism (Daystar University), currently working as a Sports Editor. He has more than five years of experience in digital journalism.