Top 10 most talented European players in the MLS: Who is the best European player in the MLS?

There have been several European players in MLS throughout the league's existence. Footballing greats from the Champions League flocked to the United States to change the game. On one side, David Beckham and Robbie Keane became an unstoppable force, while on the other, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa brought a fresh approach to the newly formed New York City FC.

Major League Soccer has 29 teams, 26 in the United States and three in Canada, including Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Although American and Canadian players dominate the MLS, some European players have joined the league and showcased their talent.

Top 10 best European players to ever play in the MLS

Personal statistics, team influence, and overall contribution to the MLS are among the metrics used to rank top European players in the American soccer league. Sports Brief lists the top European players who impacted the league, as ranked by 90 min and other sources, including their profiles and Transfermarkt stats.

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10. Bastian Schweinsteiger

• Date of birth: 1 August 1984
• Age: 39 (as of March 2024)
• Nationality: German
• MLS side: Chicago Fire FC
• Position: Midfielder

The German footballer joined Chicago Fire FC in 2017 after achieving nearly everything in Europe. He moved to the MLS side from Manchester United and became a key contributor to the team. Schweinsteiger spent three years with Chicago, scoring eight goals and ten assists in 85 MLS appearances.

9. Robbie Keane

• Date of birth: 8 July 1980
• Age: 43 (as of March 2024)
• Nationality: English
• MLS side: LA Galaxy
• Position: Striker

Robbie Keane is considered the finest Irishman to ever play in the Major League Soccer. Keane joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2011 and spent six seasons where he bagged 104 goals and 41 assists in 165 matches. He won three MLS Cups (2011, 2012, and 2014) and the league's Most Valuable Player award in 2014.

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8. Frank Lampard

• Date of birth: 20 June 1978
• Age: 45 (as of March 2024)
• Nationality: English
• MLS side: New York City FC
• Position: Midfielder

Frank Lampard is a former English soccer player who starred for multiple teams such as Manchester City, Chelsea, and West Ham United. He was elected to the Premier League Hall of Fame and became Chelsea's all-time leading scorer.

Lampard relocated to the US in 2015 to represent New York City FC (NYCFC). He scored 15 goals and four assists in 31 games for the MLS side before retiring in February 2017.

7. David Villa

• Date of birth: 20 June 1978
• Age: 45 (as of March 2024)
• Nationality: Spanish
• MLS side: New York City FC
• Position: Striker

David Villa has a long history of professional soccer experience, having played for Real Zaragoza, Valencia, and Barcelona, among other elite Spanish clubs. He starred in the 2010 World Cup, helping his nation to win the title and finishing as Spain's top scorer.

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Villa Joined New York City in 2014 and played until 2018. He managed 80 goals and 21 assists in 26 appearances for the MLS club.

6. Steven Gerrard

• Date of birth: 30 May 1980
• Age: 43 (as of March 2024)
• Nationality: English
• MLS side: LA Galaxy
• Position: Midfielder

In 2015, the ex-Premier League midfielder signed a four million pound, 18-month contract with Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy, leaving Liverpool FC. According to his ESPN stats, Gerrard bagged five goals and 14 assists in 32 matches for LA Galaxy. He retired in November 2016 to focus on coaching.

5. Andrea Pirlo

• Date of birth: 19 May 1979
• Age: 44 (as of March 2024)
• Nationality: Italian
• MLS side: New York City FC
• Position: Midfielder

New York City FC acquired the Italian sensation in 2015 after a deal from Juventus. Pirlo scored once and provided nine assists in 62 appearances for the MLS team between 2015 to 2017. He helped propel the club to global prominence with Frank Lampard and David Villa.

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4. Wayne Rooney

• Date of birth: 24 October 1985
• Age: 38 (as of March 2024)
• Nationality: English
• MLS side: DC United
• Position: Forward

Wayne Rooney is among the legendary figures who graced American fields. The former forward holds the record for the most goals scored by a Manchester United player and is the second all-time top scorer of the England national team. He had stints with Everton, Derby County, and Manchester United before moving to the US in 2018.

Rooney was a key scorer in DC United's run to the MLS Cup Playoffs. He scored 25 goals and 14 assists in 52 games for the club. The legendary footballer joined Derby County in 2020 and retired in 2021. Rooney returned to the US to manage DC United in 2022 and 2023.

3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

• Date of birth: 3 October 1981
• Age: 42
• Nationality: Swedish
• MLS side: LA Galaxy
• Position: Striker

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Zlatan played for multiple European teams, including AC Milan, Barcelona, PSG, and Manchester United, scoring over 500 goals. He scored 62 goals in 122 caps with the national team and played at the 2006 and 2002 World Cups.

He moved to the Major League Soccer club in 2018, signing for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Ibrahimović won the MLS Newcomer of the Year accolade and was named in the All-Star Game in his debut season, as reported by Sky Sports. He bagged 53 goals and 15 assists in 58 games for LA Galaxy.

2. Thierry Henry

• Date of birth: 17 August 1977
• Age: 46
• Nationality: French
• MLS side: New York Red Bulls
• Position: Striker

Thierry Henry played for Juventus, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Monaco. He is the second-highest-scoring French player after Karim Benzema, as reported by Goal.

Henry moved to the MLS in 2010 to play for New York Red Bulls. He held the record for the highest salary in the league in 2012. The former Arsenal star scored 52 goals and 42 assists in 135 matches for the Red Bulls from 2010 to 2014.

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1. David Beckham

• Date of birth: 2 May 1975
• Age: 48
• Nationality: English
• MLS side: Los Angeles Galaxy
• Position: Striker

David Beckham is among the most famous footballers because of his achievements and investments in the sport. He was featured in FIFA's 100 Greatest Living Players list and inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame and the Premier League Hall of Fame.

The Englishman played for multiple European clubs, including Manchester United and Real Madrid, before moving to Major League Soccer in 2007 to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy. He made 124 appearances for the MLS side, scoring 20 goals and 42 assists. Beckham went on loan to AC Milan and then joined PSG, where he ended his career.

After a year with Paris St. Germain, he transitioned from player to owner when he co-founded and invested in Inter Miami CF.

Frequently asked questions

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The finest European player in Major League Soccer is ultimately a matter of opinion and perception. Let us examine a few questions about MLS players.

How many foreign players are on the MLS team?

Eight foreign players. The system's peculiarity is the average limit of eight foreign players per team, shared among the 26 MLS clubs.

Who is the highest-rated MLS player in FIFA 23?

Legendary Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini and striker Lorenzo Insigne are the highest-rated MLS players in FIFA 23 with 84, as reported by Goal. Chiellini plays for Los Angeles FC, while Lorenzo Insigne is at Toronto FC. Other top-rated MLS stars include Gareth Bale (81) and Carlos Vela (81) of Los Angeles FC and Hector Herrera (80) of Houston Dynamo.

Final word

Who is the best European player in the MLS? English legend David Beckham is considered by many as the most impactful European footballer who starred in the American league. He is among the top European players who brought a unique blend of talent and flair to the MLS.

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