Top 10 MLS Players of All Time (Ranked)

Top 10 MLS Players of All Time (Ranked)

Goals, glory, and a sprinkle of chaos, these ten legends didn’t just play in MLS, they defined it.

10. Landon Donovan

Before Messi turned the league into a global spectacle, Landon Donovan was its heartbeat. 145 goals, 136 assists, six MLS Cups, and an entire generation of kids who thought “soccer” was just code for “be like Landon.”

Landon Donovan leaves MLS w/ record 6 championships, 169 goals, 150 assists (including playoffs).

Great run, Landon. pic.twitter.com/pkt0WrYt3h

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 7, 2014

He wasn’t flashy, he wasn’t loud, he was reliable brilliance. Donovan played the game with American grit and a touch of genius, always turning up when it mattered most. The MVP trophy literally bears his name now. Enough said.

Watching him play felt like watching MLS itself grow up.

9. David Beckham

Beckham’s arrival in 2007 was less a transfer and more a global event. He didn’t just sign for LA Galaxy, he brought Hollywood to the pitch. Sure, the haircuts and free kicks helped, but the “Beckham Rule” changed how MLS operated forever.

Two MLS Cups later, Beckham walked off the field and straight into club ownership. He was the first to prove MLS could attract global icons and make money doing it.

Now he’s the co-owner who convinced Messi to join his team. That’s full-circle sorcery.

8. Sebastian Giovinco

Giovinco didn’t just arrive at Toronto FC, he detonated. In four seasons, the 5’4” Italian racked up 68 goals, 52 assists, and enough highlight reels to fill a cinema.

The 2017 treble-winning season remains one of the greatest solo campaigns in league history. His free kicks could humiliate goalkeepers from 30 yards, and his dribbling? Like watching a wasp terrorize defenders.

Small frame, massive legacy. Giovinco proved that MLS could be a playground for world-class talent in their prime.

7. Dwayne De Rosario

DeRo was a vibe before vibes were a thing. With over 100 goals and four MLS Cups, he embodied that raw, fearless creativity that made early MLS so unpredictable.

Every goal felt like a freestyle, backheels, volleys, and screamers that came out of nowhere. He didn’t need Europe or hype; he had swagger, confidence, and a loyal following.

For Canadian fans especially, De Rosario wasn’t just a star, he was an anthem.

6. Robbie Keane

When Robbie Keane landed in LA, he turned “Designated Player” into “Designated Destroyer.” 83 goals, 125 appearances, and three MLS Cups later, he left with cult status.

Keane’s movement off the ball was borderline telepathic, and his link-up with Donovan was pure art. His knack for late goals made him a nightmare for defenders and a dream for fans.

"These are the things you dream of."

Robbie Keane joined MLS Wrap-Up after the @LAGalaxy won their sixth Championship. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/PmTfEqSBMT

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 8, 2024

He played like he was born for this league, all business, no nonsense, with just enough showmanship to keep the crowd grinning.

5. Zlatan Ibrahimović

Let’s be honest: MLS had seen stars before, but none quite like Zlatan. He arrived in 2018, declared himself a god, and then scored from midfield in his debut. You can’t script that.

In just two seasons, Zlatan scored 52 goals in 56 games, that’s not football, that’s theatre. Every press conference was a quote generator; every goal was a viral clip. He didn’t just play for LA Galaxy, he owned LA.

Sure, he never won MLS Cup, but that’s almost irrelevant. Zlatan didn’t need silverware to make history. His presence alone made the league feel bigger, louder, and infinitely more fun.

4. Carlos Vela

Vela’s 2019 season still feels unreal: 34 goals, 15 assists, and a highlight reel so smooth it could double as a music video. LAFC built their empire around his creativity, and for a while, he looked untouchable.

When Vela’s in form, he doesn’t just play, he performs. His left foot could bend physics, and his calmness in front of goal felt unfair. Critics said he lacked ambition. MLS fans said, “Good. We’ll take him.”

At his peak, he was untouchable, MLS’s own Da Vinci with a number 10 on his back.

3. David Villa

Villa’s arrival in New York City wasn’t just a signing, it was a statement. The 2010 World Cup winner showed up, rolled up his sleeves, and scored 77 goals in 117 games.

He combined clinical finishing with leadership that reshaped NYCFC from a marketing project into a contender. Villa didn’t need flash, just a perfect first touch and a deadly right foot.

He made the Bronx beautiful. And that’s saying something.

2. Thierry Henry

Henry didn’t come to MLS to coast, he came to compete. With 51 goals and 42 assists, the French legend brought swagger, precision, and class to the New York Red Bulls.

Even in his twilight years, Henry’s pace, movement, and intelligence left defenders guessing. Every goal looked like it belonged in a Louvre exhibit.

He may not have lifted an MLS Cup, but he raised the league’s standard. After Henry, every DP was judged differently.

1. Lionel Messi

Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami didn’t just boost MLS, it transformed it. Within weeks, stadiums sold out, the world tuned in, and he casually won a Leagues Cup like it was a preseason friendly.

🇦🇷 Lionel Messi in the MLS this season is highly motivated:

👕 15 games
⚽️ 14 goals
🎯 6 assists
🤝 20 goal contributions
🥅 0 penalties scored
😳 36 key passes
💨 56 successful dribbles

GOAT! 🐐 pic.twitter.com/7wR5GhKGnU

— Sholy Nation Sports (@Sholynationsp) July 10, 2025

Every touch is a reminder that greatness translates in any language, or timezone. His goals, assists, and effortless genius made Inter Miami an overnight powerhouse.

Messi isn’t just the best player to grace MLS; he’s the moment the league became truly global. The rest are legends. Messi? He’s a phenomenon.

Final Whistle

MLS has evolved from scrappy beginnings to a league of icons. Donovan built the foundation, Beckham brought the flash, and Zlatan? He lit the place on fire.

And now, with Messi leading the new era, MLS isn’t chasing relevance anymore—it is the show.