Compiling a list of the best imports in any league can be hard, there have been many great Argentine, Colombian, and World Cup winning players in MLS. When it comes to the European talents, we are examining name value, influence at their club, and honorable mentions.Not featured on the list are Andrea Pirlo, Steven Gerrard, and Frank Lampard who while had acceptable stints in MLS, they did not crack the best of the best.

This list goes back all the way to 1996, when the league kicked off, and mentions those European players who pioneered the way to MLS in the early days. Here are 25 top European players to have played in MLS.

Bastian Schweinsteiger

When Bastian Schweinsteiger came to MLS, he was expected to elevate the Chicago Fire, he did in a way, helping the club break a five-year drought in the MLS playoffs. Schweinsteiger was a class professional and while the Fire was at times below the German World Cup winner, Schweinsteiger was worth the price of admission. 8 goals in 85 games.

Roberto Donadoni

Roberto Donadoni was one of MLS biggest signings in its inaugural season in 1996. Donadoni was a workhorse player for the legendary AC Milan teams of the 1990’s, in MLS he set a standard for a foreign import. Donadoni was pure class on and off the field, a league that was below his level he trained harder, worked harder and even returned to the Italian national team to play in Euro 1996. A true example of what a name player must be, Donadoni played only 2 seasons in MLS and what did the Italian maestro do after 1997? He returned to AC Milan.

Romain Alessandrini

The French midfielder was a terror down the flank for the LA Galaxy, Romain Alessandrini scored 24 goals in 61 games, and while the club did not win any silverware during his time, Alessandrini was one of the few last home run signings for the Galaxy.

Hristo Stoichkov

The legendary Bulgarian forward Hristo Stoichkov came to MLS in 2000 and played very well for the Chicago Fire, again a name player leading by example, winning the US Open Cup in 2000. When he was traded to DC United in 2003, DC got a slower and crankier version of Stoichkov. Nonetheless Stoichkov was a very good signing for MLS.

Marco Di Vaio

Italian forward Marco Di Vaio signed with the then Montreal Impact and scored 34 goals in 76 games, he helped the club win two Canadian Championships in 2013 and 2014. The Impact would eventually sign better players in Piatti and Drogba, but Di Vaio was a home run DP.

Mo Johnston

Lost in the sands of time could be the signing of Scottish international Mo Johnston to the Kansas City Wizards in 1996. Johnston played from 1996-2001, scoring 31 goals in 149 games. He formed a great partnership with Preki and won the MLS Cup and the Supporters Shield in 2000.

Daniel Royer

Some names may not be as glamorous but are equally as important, Daniel Royer played over 100 games for the New York Red Bulls and scored 39 goals being a menace on the wings. 2020 and 2021 saw a dip in form but fans should not forget how important Royer was to the New York team’s attack.

Joel Lindpere

Another Red Bull, Joel Lindpere was all about hard work in New York. Lindpere was a fan favorite for his hustle and his leadership on the field. He scored 17 goals in 104 appearances for the club in three seasons, Lindpere was an ironman in the Red Bulls midfield.

Maxime Chanot

Recently crowned MLS champion defender Maxime Chanot has been a leader at the back for NYCFC, putting in a memorable MLS Cup performance. Chanot has been with the club since 2016 and will now lead them in 2022 as the team to beat in all of MLS.

Robert Warzycha

Polish midfielder Robert Warzycha was one of the Columbus Crew’s first major signings in 1996 and played until 2002 with the club. Warzycha was an example and leader on the field, winning the US Open Cup in 2002 and becoming the club’s head coach from 2009-2013.

Nani

Nani is on this list because the Portuguese midfielder’s arrival to Orlando City was crucial in getting the Lions out of their MLS funk. Nani scored some amazing goals in MLS and in total netted 28 times in 76 games. Nani was an All-Star in 2019 and 2021.

Johnny Russell

Continuing Kansas City’s tradition of Scottish imports, Johnny Russell has been nothing but gold for now Sporting KC. 40 goals in 113 games, Russell has been one of MLS best players since his arrival in 2018, 2021 was his best season to date. Inexplicably not in consideration for the Scottish national team.

Albert Rusnák

Slovakian midfielder Albert Rusnák is still only 27 years old, but he’s an old man at this point in RSL. Rusnák has played 140 games and scored 41 goals for RSL, now entering his sixth season with the club Rusnák has been there from the best of times and the worst.

Víctor Vázquez

Silky Spanish midfielder Víctor Vázquez was the final piece of the puzzle to help Toronto FC win the 2017 MLS Cup. Only playing 2 seasons, Vázquez showed his class and skill, while Toronto FC fans may be high on Alejandro Pozuelo’s individual awards, Vázquez’s time had more substance.

Laurent Ciman

Defenders need love too, Laurent Ciman was a rock for the Impact and a leader at LAFC. Considered one of the best MLS defenders in recent memory, the Belgian was a three-time All-Star.

Stefan Frei

Switzerland netminder Stefan Frei took over the nets in Seattle from Michael Gspurning and has been one of the best keepers in MLS. Frei began his MLS adventure with Toronto and has played over 230 games for the Sounders.

Carles Gil

Spain has provided many great imports to MLS in recent memory and one that most stands out is Carles Gil of the New England Revolution. Gil received many individual awards since joining the Revs in 2019 and anchored the team in their record setting 2021 season.

Piotr Nowak

Polish midfielder Piotr Nowak was a classic number 10 that helped lead the Chicago Fire to the 1998 MLS Cup. Nowak also won 2 US Open Cups with the club playing in 114 games and getting 16 goals.

Sebastian Giovinco

The Atomic Ant, Sebastian Giovinco came to MLS in a record transfer from Juventus in 2015 to Toronto FC, and the little forward was a goal machine, 68 goals in 114 games. 1 MLS Cup, 1 Supporters Shields, and 3 Canadian championships. A club legend.

David Villa

In search of a new challenge David Villa came to expansion side NYCFC and delivered in every aspect, a role model to the young players and a name to get people through the gates. Villa netted 80 times in 124 games and helped get NYCFC off the ground.

Robbie Keane

Irish international Robbie Keane came to the Galaxy by way of the Premier League, and was an instant hit, scoring 83 goals in 125 games. Keane was a leader and won 3 MLS Cups.

Bradley Wright-Phillips

MLS is a league where a $20 million dollar signing struggles and a Championship forward is one of the league’s top scorers. BWP is a Red Bulls legend, and one of MLS all-time best strikers.

David Beckham

The man who invented the DP rule, the signing that may have saved MLS from oblivion, David Beckham raised the league’s profile, turned Beckham into a team owner and was world news every time he scored. It was not always rosy, but David Beckham is an MLS all-time best, even though he wanted out on many occasions.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic raised the bar, he outdid Beckham who was so squeaky clean, Zlatan was the best villain the league ever had. He scored goals, belittled his opponents, belittled his teammates, but was a pure winner. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was simply a superstar; one the league badly misses.

Thierry Henry

The greatest European import in MLS history is Thierry Henry, why? The class, the goals, the leadership, the example. Henry was tailor made for New York, Henry was tailor made for MLS, Henry is simply a tailor-made soccer player. Few in MLS have connected the dots like Henry, he scored, he was elegant, he was well spoken, and was a perfect ambassador to MLS. A CLASS ACT.

A total of 62 teams have competed since La Liga’s inception. In addition to Real Madrid winning the title a record 34 times and Barcelona on the second with 26 league titles, nine other teams have been crowned champions.

The then-Athletic Bilbao player Telmo Zarra held the all-time highest goalscorerrecordin the tournament, up until 2014. Between 1945 and 1953, he was the Spanish league’s highest scorer for sixseasons.

21. Julio Salinas – 152 goals

Julio Salinas is a well-known name in La Liga, as he spent most of his career in Spain. He started his career in Athletic Bilbao, having gone through their youth academy. In 1981, he was added to the first team.

The Bilbao-born forward managed 152 total goals in 417 appearances in La Liga. 60 of them he scored in the Barcelona jersey, 31 for Atletico Madrid, 13 for Athletic Club, 24 for Sporting Gijon, and 12 for Deportivo Alaves and Deportivo La Coruna.

20. Luis Suarez – 156goals

Luis Suarez is tied with Julio Salinas for the 20th spot with 156goals scored. Suarez has played in two clubs in La Liga: Barcelona (2014-2020), and Atletico Madrid (2020-). He is the second active player in the top 20 list, with 203games in Spain so far.

The Uruguayan striker netted 147 times in 191 league games while wearing the Blaugrana jersey. In addition, he has fnine strikes in 13 matches for Atletico in the Spanish league so far.

19. Ferenc Puskas – 156 goals

Puskas is one of the several players on this list to have featured for only one La Liga club in their career. For Real Madrid, he made 180 total La Liga appearances in the period of eight years, from 1958 to 1966.

The Hungarian managed to convert 156 successful shots in La Liga. He died on November 17, 2006, aged 79.

18. Aritz Aduriz – 158 goals

Aduriz spent his entire career playing for Spanish top-tier and lower-tier clubs. He began his professional career at Aurrera in 1999. A year later, he joined Atletic Bilbao reserves, before being deployed in the first team in 2004.

Over the course of his career, he played for other Spanish clubs, but opted to return to Bilbao in 2012, and retire there in 2020. The 39-year-old managed to score 118 goals for Athletic, in addition to 23 for Mallorca, and 17 for Valencia in La Liga.

17. Luis Aragones – 160 goals

Aragones started his professional career at Getafe in 1957, but it only took one season for him to be noticed by Real Madrid. Unfortunately, he never got to debut for the first team of the Whites.

He netted a total of 160 total goals in La Liga for three different clubs. The Spanish midfielder scored 3 gaols for Oviedo, 33 for Real Betis, and 123 for Atletico Madrid. He died on February 1, 2014, aged 75.

16. Samuel Eto’o – 162 goals

Samuel Eto’o had a very colorful career, playing for 13 different clubs worldwide. With only three of them, he made his debut in La Liga. An interesting fact that people often find surprising is that he is a product of Real Madrid’s youth academy.

The ex-Cameroon international made three league appearances for Los Blancos but failed to register any goal. Thus, out of the 162 goals in Spain, Eto’o scored 108 for Barcelona, and 54 for Mallorca. He retired in 2019, atQatar SC.

15. Karim Benzema – 177goals

Karim Benzema is the second active player in the top 20 list. He joined Real Madrid in 2009, and he’s currently going into his 11th season at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Frenchman didn’t always have it easy at Madrid, but he exploded after Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure for Juventus in summer 2018. Benzema has played in 364La Liga games so far, managing to score 177 times.

14. Guillermo Gorostiza – 178 goals

Guillermo Gorostiza played for three Spanish clubs in total, but two of them were La Liga clubs. The Spanish forward started his career at Arenas Getxo in the far 1927.

He has scored 178 goals total La Liga goals split between two clubs: 72 for Valencia (from 1940 to 1945), and 35 for Athletic Bilbao (from 1929 to 1940). He died on August 23, 1966, aged 57.

13. Juan Arza – 182 goals

Arza is also one of the many players who spent all their playing career in Spain. However, out of the four clubs he played, at the time, only Sevilla were La Liga members.

For Sevilla, he made 349 league appearances from the period of1949 to 1959, scoring 182 goals in total. Arza died on July 17, 2011, aged 88.

12. David Villa – 185 goals

David Villa is a well-known La Liga and a worldwide legend. He began his pro career at Sporting Gijon B in 2000, before being included in the first team the next season. He featured in four top-division clubs.

For Valencia, he scored 107 league goals, in addition to 33 at Barcelona, 32 at Real Zaragoza, and 13 at Atletico Madrid. He retired in 2020, after spending the 2019-20 season at Vissel Kobe.

11. Santillana – 186 goals

Santillana spent his whole career in Spain, playing for two clubs in total, with one of them in La Liga. The former Spanish striker started his soccer adventure at Racing Santander in 1970, but it only took a season for Real Madrid to snatch him.

From 1971 to 1988, Santillana made 461 league appearances and scored 186 goals for Los Blancos. In 1988, he called it quits after helping the team gather three titles in a row in his final three seasons.

10. Edmundo Suarez – 195 goals

Edmundo Suarez began his career in Athletic Bilbao in 1935 but was soon shipped off after failing to leave a mark at the club in just one season.

From 1939 to 1950, he featured for Valencia, making 210 La Liga appearances and scoring 186 goals. In his final season, he played for Alcoyano, where he netted nine times in 21 league games. He died on December 14, 1978, aged 62.

9. Pahiño – 210 goals

Pahiño started his professional career at Celta in 1943. He spent five seasons there and joined Real Madrid in 1948. He played for four total clubs but made at least one La Liga appearance for three of them.

The Vigo-born former midfielder had a terrific record of 111 goals for Real Madrid in 124 games, in addition to 57 strikes at Celta, and 46 at Deportivo La Coruna. He died on June 12, 2012, aged 89.

8. Quini – 219 goals

Quini started his career in Spain at Ensidesa in 1967, before moving to Sporting Gijon just a year later. He played for four Spanish teams, in La Liga and lower leagues.

In addition, he featured for Barcelona, where he made 100 appearances. That way, he reached a total of 448 La Liga games, where he scored 219 goals.

7. Cesar Rodriguez – 223 goals

Cesar Rodriguez began his career at Barcelona in 1939, and he spent 16 years of his playing career at the Catalan club. The Barcelona-born forward played for a total of six Spanish clubs, four of which were competing in La Liga.

Rodriguez netted 190 goals in 287 games for Barca, 5 for Elche, 23 for Granada, and 3 for Cultural Leonesa. He died on March 1, 1995, aged 74.

6. Alfredo Di Stefano – 227 goals

Alfredo Di Stefano began his soccer path at River Plate in Argentina in 1945. After he managed to make his name in his homeland and Colombia for Milionarios, it was announced that he would be joining La Liga side Real Madrid in 1953.

During his 11-year stay in Madrid, from 1953 to 1964, Di Stefano reached 282 league matches, scoring 216 goals in total. He died on July 7, 2014, aged 88.

5. Raul – 229 goals

The famous Real Madrid legend Raul makes his way into the top 5 La Liga all-time top goalscorers. Despite featuring for both Madrid youth clubs, it was Real who introduced to first-team soccer in 1994.

Raul spent 16 years at the Santiago Bernabeu, filled with all sorts of collective and individual accolades and trophies. He made 550 total league appearances for the Whites and scored on 229 occasions.

4. Hugo Sanchez – 234 goals

Hugo Sanchez made his name in Mexico while featuring for UNAM (Pumas), from 1976 to 1981. That summer, he was shipped off to Atletico Madrid, where he stayed for four years. In addition, in 1985, Sanchez moved to their arch city rivals, Real Madrid.

He scored 164 goals in 2017 La Liga games for the Whites, in addition to 54 at Atletico Madrid, and 16 for Rayo Vallecano. The Mexican forward announced his retirement in 1997, after spending the season at Atletico Celaya.

3. Telmo Zarra – 251 goals

Zarra started his career at Erandio in 1939, but shortly after, Atletic Bilbao noticed him and signed him the next season. He has also played for another two Spanish clubs, but only Bilbao featured in La Liga.

With the Basque side, he netted 251 La Liga goal in 277 matches over the course of 15 years, from 1940 to 1955. He died on February 23, 2006, aged 85.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo – 311 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo is a youth product of Sporting Lisbon in Portugal. He made his name after leaving his homeland to play for Manchester United. Having won the Ballon d’Or the year before, Real Madrid lured him in 2009.

From 2009 to 2018, CR7 made 292 La Liga appearances for the Santiago Bernabeu side, marking 311 total goals. The 35-year-old forward is currently featuring for Juventus in Serie A.

1. Lionel Messi – 455goals

Messi has spent his entire career at Barcelona, after coming through the Blaugrana’s and Newell’s Old Boys’s youth ranks. In 2004, he was transferred to the first team where he made his competitive debut at the age of just 17.

The Argentine has so far featured in 502 La Liga games for Barca and scored 455goals. The 33-year-old forward is going into his 16th season at the Camp Nou, and it’s safe to say that he’ll only keep improving his already-unreachable record.

There is one thing all these great stars have not won and that is a World Cup, of the players from all over the world that have played in MLS only 13can claim they are World Cup winners. 12 entered their MLS careers as World Cup winners, and now one can calim he was playing in MLS when he won the World Cup.

While the list boasts some incredible players, their MLS careers are mixed bags as many had fairly successful careers in the league and others… well not so much. Let’s review all of the World Cup winners who have played in MLS!

Branco – Brazil – MetroStars – 1997

The first World Cup winner to ever play in MLS was from the reigning champions at the time, Brazil (1994). Branco was a top left back, once, who came to MLS in 1997 to play for the ailing MetroStars. To say that Branco was a flop is an understatement. He played in only 11 games and scored 1 goal, he was sent off twice, once for spitting at his opponent. He chained smoked, was overweight, and was let go quickly as the 97 season ended.

Lothar Matthäus – Germany – MetroStars – 2000

The definition of everything MLS does not want to be. Matthäus MLS journey began shortly after the 1999 Champions League Final against Manchester United, you can say that the 38-year-old, 1990 World Cup winner, was one of the best players on the field until he was subbed out. When he did arriveinNew York to be presented to the media he told local media, while he was posing for picturesinTimes Square, he was a German basketball player signed by the Knicks. It seemed to him that playing in MLS was a joke, it looked that way, he played 16 games, when he was “injured” he was photographed in St. Tropez getting a tan. Incredibly Matthäus speaks wonders about the emerging MLS as a pundit in Germany. Go figure…

Youri Djorkaeff – France- MetroStars – 2005

1998 World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff came to the MetroStars during what can be considered the dark times of MLS. The league was stagnant, and the pre-Beckham era saw Djorkaeff play in front of nearly empty stadiums, still the elegance, the skill, and the vision wasall there. Djorkaeff played 2 seasons with the MetroStars as they turned into the Red Bulls, and his positive experience led the way to the signing of his friend Thierry Henry.

Denilson – Brazil – F.C. Dallas – 2007

Denilson won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 after being the highest transferred player ever when he moved from Sao Paulo to Real Betis in 1998. By 2007 he was an unwanted commodity having bounced around France and Saudi Arabia, still on the national team he showed incredible talent. He came to F.C. Dallas with high hopes but unfortunately, he did not play well at all. He scored 1 goal in 8 games. He is considered one of the biggest DP flops and worst signings in MLS history.

Thierry Henry – France – New York Red Bulls – 2010

One the best players the league ever signed, the 1998 World Cup winner was gold for MLS and the Red Bulls. 51 goals in 122 games, but above all else, an example, a leader, the definition of professionalism. Henry gave MLS instant credibility, to prove MLS was no retirement league, he went back on loan to his beloved Arsenal in 2012 and scored 1 goal in 4 matches.

Alessandro Nesta – Italy – Montreal Impact – 2012

The 2006 World Cup winner, Nesta came to MLS at the tail end of his career, but he was a mark of class and professionalism. Only playing 31 games his experience helped the Impact get into the playoffs in 2013. He retired after the 2013 season and lobbied to become the clubs head coach; the job went to Frank Klopas.

Kleberson – Brazil – Philadelphia Union – 2013

Kleberson, the journeyman Brazilian World Cup winner (2002) arrived to the Union in 2013 after lukewarm achievements in his club career. In Philadelphia, he scored 1 goal in 11 outings. Since 2017 he has been working with the Philadelphia Union Academy.

Kaká – Brazil – Orlando City – 2014

Orlando City wanted to enter MLS with a splash, and they did just that when they signed 2002 World Cup Winner, Kaká in 2014. Kaká was pure class on and off the field, on the field, he scored 24 goals in 75 matches for an Orlando City team that was not at his level. Off the field, he is one the league’s biggest spokesman and showed the rest of the league that no matter how famous a player, always make time for fans. A class act.

Andrea Pirlo – Italy – New York City FC – 2015

Like Roberto Donadoni in 1996 for the MetroStars, the 2006 World Cup Winner, Pirlo at NYCFC was nothing but class. Yes, he had lost a step, but he didn’t need to run, he was elegance on the ball, perfect passing, and leadership. In three seasons Pirlo played 60 games for the club, but only scored 1 goal. His injuries forced him to retire, but NYCFC fans have fond memories of the Italian midfielder.

David Villa – Spain – New York City FC – 2015

The Spanish 2010 World Cup winning forward was amazing for NYFC in his four seasons, Villa scored 77 goals in 117 games. He was the clubs first idol and while at the club scored his 400th career goal. Villa is considered by many one of the top 20 best MLS players of all- time.

Bastian Schweinsteiger – Germany – Chicago Fire – 2017

Bastian Schweinsteiger came to the Chicago Fire to provide his experience and be an example, and the 2014 World Cup winner did just that. He played 85 games and scored 8 goals, he was an All-Star and while the Fire only made it to the playoffs once in his three years, he was a rock for the team.

Blaise Matuidi – France – Inter Miami – 2020

Inter Miami need help, who better than a World Cup winner, Blaise Matuidi arrived from Juventus and while he has only just arrived one hopes he can bring his wealth of experience to a new team who is in desperate need for wins. Matuidi started in France’s 4–2 victory against Croatia in the final of the 2018 World Cup.

Thiago Almada – Atlanta United – 2022

Thiago Almada was able to get on the Argentina World Cup squad due to a few injuries that occurred right before the tournament kicked off. The Atlanta United midfielder and record most expensive player ever signed by MLS did play against Poland in Argentina’s final group stage game. Thiago Almada is the first MLS World Cup winner while playing in Major League Soccer.