Ranking Stars Most Likely to Follow Heung-Min Son to MLS in 2026
Major League Soccer is no stranger to welcoming football legends in the latter stages of their playing careers.
David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Frank Lampard, David Villa, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi are among those who have flown stateside to enjoy American hospitality in their 30s.
Among the clutch of MLS incomings in 2025, Heung-Min Son was the headline name. The former Tottenham Hotspur forward had only just turned 33 years old when he arrived at Los Angeles FC.
During his 10 years in London, the South Korea international scored 173 goals and added 101 assists in 454 appearances, leaving as a bona fide Spurs legend.
After that big-name arrival on the West Coast, attention has turned to who could be the next major name to join an MLS club.
Ahead, we've selected 20 possible arrivals, picked based on name recognition and ranked according to the likelihood of them taking a chance on the American dream.
20. Mohamed Salah
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In a Premier League-winning season in 2024-25, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah scored and assisted a combined 47 goals, tying a division record.
That earned him a bumper new contract to keep the 33-year-old at Anfield until the end of the 2026-2027 campaign.
However, Salah has not hit the ground running at the start of 2025-26, scoring just three goals and adding three assists in 10 games in all competitions.
If that form continues, an early departure becomes more likely. MLS is an option, but the Saudi Pro League has been seen as the most likely destination for the Egypt international once he says goodbye to Merseyside.
19. Ilkay Gündoğan
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Gündoğan left Manchester City for Galatasaray in the summer, joining what he called his "childhood club" on a free transfer.
The Germany international, who was born in Turkey, signed up to play for the Lions until 2027, at which point he'll be approaching his 37th birthday.
Of course, MLS could come calling before then, but it feels more likely he'll enjoy a couple of years with his boyhood team and then take one last lucrative contract elsewhere.
18. Hakan Çalhanoğlu
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Çalhanoğlu would be a slightly more ambitious signing for MLS clubs than the previous two entries, given he's a little younger at 31 years old and still playing at a high level.
The Turkey international has two goals and two assists in six games for Inter Milan this season, and his contract doesn't expire until 2027.
After Son's move in the summer, though, clubs might be emboldened to see if they can tempt the midfielder to make the switch.
Inter will be keen to keep him, and other clubs might come calling, but it at least seems viable Çalhanoğlu could be snapped up.
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17. Bruno Fernandes
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On the subject of ambition, a swoop for Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes might be too much for MLS clubs to hope for.
The 31-year-old looks set to go through another frustrating season with the Red Devils, and the exit door might be looking more and more appealing as the weeks go on.
However, he's one of the few players who has maintained his credit during the club's struggles, and a move to a European side would give him one last chance to earn a UEFA Champions League title.
However, Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail has suggested the Portugal international would be open to a switch to MLS or the Saudi Pro League, in addition to European clubs, so a move Stateside might not be so far-fetched.
16. Kevin De Bruyne
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With Manchester City opting not to renew De Bruyne's contract at the end of the 2024-25 season, a host of clubs lined up to sign him.
Among the queue were MLS clubs such as Inter Miami, Chicago, NYCFC, and D.C. United, according to The Athletic, but they ultimately lost out to Napoli.
The 34-year-old will be pleased with that decision so far, with three goals in six league games as the Partenopei top Serie A.
Should he win a title in Italy, De Bruyne might again open the doors for an MLS move. However, with a contract set to run until 2027 and an option for another year, he'll probably stick around in Naples for a little longer.
15. Bernardo Silva
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Silva is the next high-profile Manchester City star whose contract is nearing expiration.
Despite wearing the captain's armband, he is seeing his influence decline, with just four starts in seven Premier League games and completing the full 90 minutes once.
Silva will turn 32 during next summer's transfer window, which suggests a move to the States might be a little premature.
But as a potential free agent, that at least makes the possibility of an MLS switch more likely. For his part, Silva has suggested he knows his next move, which at least hints at a City exit.
14. Virgil van Dijk
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Like Salah, Van Dijk had a long, drawn-out contract saga with Liverpool last season, culminating in a two-year extension.
The club captain has been an ever-present for the Reds in the Premier League in 2025-26, but it's obvious his once-formidable powers are now on the decline.
Should Liverpool decide to cut ties early and rely on a new leader at center-back, a move to another European club makes a lot of sense for the Netherlands international, easing a little of the pressure on his shoulders.
Amid the contract holdout, though, Sky Sports' Sacha Tavolieri indicated the Dutchman would prefer to move to MLS rather than the Saudi Pro League, so the gate isn't closed for a trip across the Atlantic
13. Marc-André ter Stegen
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The relationship between Ter Stegen and Barcelona has hit a seriously rocky patch.
A back injury that required surgery had ruled the German out for the start of the 2025-26 season, and with Barcelona short on available funds under La Liga registration rules, the Blaugrana saw an opportunity.
Listing him as a long-term absentee, the club could effectively write off a significant portion of his wages and confirm the signing of a couple of new players.
However, the goalkeeper's post on social media that he would be out for just three months put those plans in jeopardy, and Barcelona's anger at the revelation led to Ter Stegen being stripped of the club captaincy and threatened with disciplinary proceedings.
Things have since been resolved, apparently, but it wouldn't be a surprise if there was simply no coming back after such a big blowout.
An MLS club could offer a welcome exit route in a move that could suit all parties. In addition to being a no-doubt lucrative deal, the 33-year-old can ease the stress on his aching body in a less intense league, and Barcelona will have more financial wiggle room.
12. Dani Carvajal
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With the arrival of Trent Alexander-Arnold, it was assumed Dani Carvajal would be slowly eased out of the Real Madrid starting XI.
However, amid adaptation issues and injury for the former Liverpool right-back, Carvajal has played more than expected, finding himself in the starting XI of four of Los Blancos' seven league games.
But it has to be assumed Alexander-Arnold will soon make the right-back spot his own, and with Carvajal's contract expiring at the end of the season, a move might be in his best interests.
He'll have seen former Barcelona stars make a successful transition to MLS, and that might be a path that looks appealing to the 33-year-old.
11. Sadio Mané
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After his lone season at Bayern Munich ended in personal disappointment, Mané was shipped off to the Saudi Pro League's Al-Nassr.
Things have gone a little better for the Senegalese in the Middle East, with 41 goals and 28 assists in 101 games in all competitions.
His contract is up at the end of the year, though, and MLS clubs could come calling.
For the 33-year-old, it could be one last chance at a big contract and another trophy or two, and the MLS might be his best option in terms of prestigious leagues after his stock took a hit in the Bundesliga.
10. Robert Lewandowski
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Another former Bayern star follows Mané in this ranking, with Robert Lewandowski possibly having stars and stripes in his eyes.
At 37 years old, the Poland international is still playing at a remarkably high level, finishing second to Kylian Mbappé in La Liga's goalscoring charts last season with 27 and starting the new campaign with four goals in seven league games.
According to Football España, it's unlikely Lewandowski will be offered a new deal, so he'll need to start looking for landing spots.
Serie A might welcome him, with clubs in the league previously having success with veteran strikers. However, an MLS side could offer him a better payday, and he might see it as an opportunity to add to his already impressive career scoring total.
9. Alisson
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Alisson Becker is still bailing Liverpool out of sticky situations, but his injury record is becoming an increasing concern.
With the arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili as his successor, it might be time to start phasing the Brazilian out of the starting XI and cashing in, with the 33-year-old's contract set to expire in 2027.
A move to the U.S. would no doubt be appealing, with the trip back to Brazil less arduous than the long-haul flight to his home country from the United Kingdom.
It will be a wrench for Liverpool fans to see him leave, but Alisson deserves to see out his incredible career in a more comfortable situation.
8. Luka Modrić
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Somehow, Modrić is still representing a top European club with aplomb at the age of 40.
Now suiting up for AC Milan, the Croatian has started all six of the club's Serie A fixtures, scoring one and providing an assist in the process.
The veteran midfielder signed a one-year deal, and the club has an option for a second, per BBC Sport. With his level of performance so far, that offer is probably being drawn up already.
However, Modrić might want the chance to perform outside of Europe before he retires, and a host of MLS clubs will surely be interested.
7. Mateo Kovacic
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Kovacic's Manchester City contract is only set to expire in 2027, but it's starting to feel like the perfect time for him to test the MLS waters.
The Croatian is no longer at the level of quality the Citizens require, especially as they seek to improve upon last season's disappointing campaign.
His value to the club might yet increase once he recovers fully from injury, as Rodri's continuing fitness woes make the club light in the engine room.
However, it's tough to come back from Achilles tendon surgery, especially in your 30s, and a few seasons in the States might be just what the doctor ordered to close out his career.
6. Casemiro
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Casemiro's Manchester United tenure has been a mixed bag, being one of the club's best players in his first season before dropping off a cliff in the next and regaining some of his bite in 2024-25.
The Brazilian's contract is due to expire, and it would be surprising if the Red Devils opted to renew, given Spotrac estimates he is the club's second-highest earner.
Because of that, a parting of the ways should be expected, and a move to MLS has previously been touted by GiveMeSport—although those wages could be a restricting factor.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo
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Cristiano Ronaldo has not played in the U.S. for over a decade.
In 2010, he reached a confidentiality agreement with Kathryn Mayorga after allegations that he raped her in Las Vegas in 2009, per the Associated Press. That agreement was brought to light by German publication Der Spiegel in 2017 following information obtained from Football Leaks.
No charges were filed. A judge has since ruled that the Football Leaks documents couldn't be guaranteed authentic, meaning they couldn't be used as evidence.
Recently, there have been rumblings he could return to the U.S. As Barney Ronay detailed for the Guardian, the Portugal international will be a big draw at the FIFA 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States, and he has even had cordial communications with U.S. President Donald Trump. Perhaps a move to MLS might now be a little more appealing.
With longtime rival Lionel Messi representing Inter Miami, the narrative writes itself for the two players to go head-to-head once again.
Ronaldo has a contract with Al-Nassr until 2027, but that shouldn't be too restrictive if the 40-year-old decides it's time to make the move.
4. Ederson
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Ederson joins a clutch of once world-class goalkeepers who could be tempted by a move to MLS, with his Manchester City career all but over.
The Brazilian is on loan with Fenerbahce after being shunted out of his City starting berth, and the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma at the Etihad Stadium suggests there is no way back.
The 32-year-old's contract only expires in 2028, but given how he's been cast aside by the Premier League club, a huge fee won't be needed to make a transfer happen.
Being a bit closer to Brazil will no doubt appeal, too, especially as he continues to tussle with Alisson for the nation's No. 1 jersey.
3. David Alaba
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Alaba was one of Real Madrid's recent high-profile free transfers. Although he's been blighted by injuries, it's hard to argue the Austrian hasn't enjoyed remarkable success in Spain.
Two Champions League titles and a pair of La Liga trophies is not a bad haul, and he was a crucial player in the club's successful 2021-22 European campaign.
However, with that injury history becoming a bigger concern as he prepares to enter his 34th year, it would be a shock if Los Blancos offer him a new deal once his contract expires at the end of the season.
He will have options, of course, with European clubs likely to gamble on his experience and the Saudi Pro League sure to offer him a lucrative deal. An MLS switch could be the most tempting, though.
2. Neymar
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Two-thirds of Barcelona's formerly deadly front three have been reunited at Inter Miami, with Luis Suarez joining Lionel Messi.
With Neymar steadily working his way back to fitness with Santos after a few difficult years with injury, could he reach a point where a move to join them in Major League Soccer becomes viable?
The 33-year-old has scored six and provided three assists since rejoining his boyhood club in 2025. The hamstring injuries are still cropping up, but he is at least demonstrating some of his ability remains.
It would be a romantic end to Neymar's career to reunite with a pair of players with whom he enjoyed so much success.
1. Antoine Griezmann
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In terms of likely availability, willingness to make the move and enduring quality, Antoine Griezmann appears to be the most likely star to join MLS next.
According to ESPN, the Frenchman has a "longstanding interest" in crossing the Atlantic, and he has previously been linked with a move to LAFC, where he would join Son.
His contract with Atletico runs until 2027, but if a move were to materialize, the club would likely sanction a free transfer, given his departure would free up much-needed funds.
The 34-year-old is still an important figure at the club, but his effectiveness is waning, and a chance to fulfil a dream will be difficult to pass up.
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