Hany Mukhtar, the star being compared to Messi
The German was the best player and top scorer of the MLS in 2022.
At 28, Hany Mukhtar is one of the leading lights of American soccer. He joined Nashville in January 2020 for $2.8 million from Danish club Brøndby IF.
He made a powerful start in the league, and his scoring ability took everyone by surprise. He was the top scorer in 2022 with 23 goals, earning the nickname ‘The Messi of the MLS’.
The forward joked it would be fun to see what Inter Miami would do with Leo Messi in their ranks. Their first showdown was in the Leagues Cup final, where Miami won on penalties.
Last year, Mukhtar was named Season MVP, beating contenders like Driussi, Blake, and Chicharito. Following this, the MLS released a special edition collectible figure of him, announced jointly on social media by the league and the player.
His stay at Nashville gives the team immense confidence in pursuing their goals. In the 2023 MLS season, he notched 15 goals and nine assists in 34 matches, contributing to a total of 24, and was just three behind Bouanga, Acosta, and Almada, the three MVP finalists.
He has undoubtedly been the team's reference point in recent years, and the management trusts this will continue. The majority owner, John Ingram, described him as a pillar and a priority for the club after last year’s renewal.
He follows the Tennessee Titans, Nashville’s American football team. In fact, he’s been seen on several occasions at the Nissan Stadium wearing Amani Hooker’s jersey.
His commitment and passion for developing soccer in the United States led him to create the Mukhtar Soccer Academy in November 2022, a youth training academy located in Nashville. He is actively involved and participates in training sessions.
“It will offer elite training with a European style. We want to shape the next generation. I’ll help grow the soccer culture here,” commented Mukhtar.
The academy offers four enrollment options. The cheapest is a session for 60 dollars. From there, packages of 3x150, 6x275, or 12x500 can be chosen.
The German of Sudanese descent loves the FIFA video game, now called EAFC. Following his great season, he was given a special 94-rated card.
This summer, he received a lucrative offer from Qatari football but stayed in Nashville, where he’s happy and under contract until December 2025. A year ago, his return to Hertha Berlin was considered a done deal, but that move also did not materialize.
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