MLS
The World Cup winners who have played in MLS: Messi, Pirlo, Villa...
There have been a total of 16 players who managed to win the World Cup and play in MLS.
When Hugo Lloris joined LAFC recently, MLS welcomed another World Cup winner to the league.
Soccer in the United States is growing due to the signings of stars like Leo Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
But before Inter Miami’s mega moves in 2023, fans of the league were able to enjoy some big-name players and World Cup winners.
World Cup winners who have played in MLS
- Branco - MetroStars: 1997 - World champion with Brazil in 1994
- Denilson - FC Dallas: 2007 - World champion with Brazil in 2002
- Youri Djorkaeff - New York Red Bulls: 2005-06 - World champion with France 1998
- Thierry Henry - New York Red Bulls: 2010-14 - World champion with France 1998
- Kleberson - Philadelphia Union: 2013 - World champion with Brazil 2002
- Lothar Matthaus - MetroStars: 2000 - World champion with Germany 1990
- Alessandro Nesta - Montreal Impact: 2012-13 - World champion with Italy 2006
- David Villa - New York City FC: 2015-18 - World champion with Spain 2010
- Andrea Pirlo - New York City FC: 2015-17 - World champion with Italy 2006
- Kaká - Orlando City 2015-17 - World champion with Brazil 2002
- Bastian Schweinsteiger - Chicago Fire: 2017-19 - World champion with Germany 2014
- Blaise Matuidi - Inter Miami: 2020-21 - World champion with France 2018
- Thiago Almada - Atlanta United: 2022 - present - World champion with Argentina 2022
- Lionel Messi - Inter Miami: 2023 - present - World champion with Argentina 2022
- Sergio Busquets - Inter Miami: 2023 - present - World champion with Spain 2010
- Hugo Lloris - LAFC: 2024 - present - World champion with France 2018
There have been a total of 16 players who played in MLS and who won the World Cup with their respective countries.
Messi, of course, lifted the trophy with Argentina in 2022. He will be hoping to win more titles with Inter Miami in 2024 after the club strengthened their forward line with the signing of fellow forward Luis Suárez.