It did not help that Federico Bernardeschi and Lorenzo Insigne posted mundane stats, especially considering they are among the highest-paid players in Major League Soccer. Insigne scored only 4 goals in league play, while Bernardeschi had 8.

Insigne, who has serious doubts about his future at the club, is signed until 2026, as is Bernardeschi. The former Juventus star took to Instagram to share his thoughts on what was yet another disappointing season for TFC.

Federico Bernardeschi’s Open Letter to TFC Fans

Federico Bernardeschi took to Instagram to pen a letter for fans: “I was sure we were gonna make it this year, but I was wrong. All the hard work wasn’t enough. I can’t say I’m happy or satisfied. I assure you, from the moment I set foot in this amazing city, which now feels like home, my goal has always been, and always will be, to win.

“I was raised with a fighter’s mindset, and winning has always been important to me. For myself and for you. In life, just like in sports, you can’t always win, but losses teach you and help you grow way more than victories do.

“A professional has to always give it their all, day in and day out, to repay the love and support they receive, with dedication, sacrifice, and effort in both the big and small things. I’ve worked hard, and I’m gonna work even harder from now on.

“I wanna thank you all for the constant support, the dedication, and the recognition. It’s no small thing; it’s the main drive behind my goals. I remember every banner, message, and well-wish. I love this city, and I owe it to you all for giving me so much.

“I really care… and I know… YOU really care!”

Since his arrival in MLS, Federico Bernardeschi has scored 21 goals with 15 assists in a total of 73 league matches for the club. The Italian has yet to win any silverware with the team.

The first of these clips featured Toronto FC star Lorenzo Insigne, where Twellman asked the former Napoli striker whether he would prefer a seven-day cruise with Bob Bradley, whom Insigne reportedly clashed with, or teammate Federico Bernardeschi, with whom Insigne had issues.

The questions elicited laughter from the forward. Twellman then engaged in a similar exchange with Inter Miami’s Benjamin Cremaschi, who also responded with humor.

Benjamin Cremaschi on how Inter Miami will win MLS Cup

During their chat, Twellman inquired about Lionel Messi’s coffee preferences. Cremaschi humorously replied, “I don’t think Messi drinks coffee, he drinks mate.”

When asked how Inter Miami plans to win the MLS Cup this season, Cremaschi’s response was straightforward: “By scoring a lot of goals, being better than everyone else, and just giving it to Messi.”

None of that happened, and misreporting of a rift between two of the highest paid DPs in MLS was just one of many issues surrounding the club. TFC has been dreadful for most of the season and the firing of Bob Bradley has done little to help a team at a tipping point. Rumors around the future of the disgruntled Italian stars have been present since the summer, but on huge contracts many teams will balk on trying to sign them.

On Saturday evening while watching his team lose yet another match Lorenzo Insigne, who is recovering from injury, got into a verbal altercation with a fan, so much so that he had to be pulled away from continuing to argue. The former Napoli star spoke to Sportsnet on Monday and said his piece on the matter.

Lorenzo Insigne on fan altercation

Insigne told Sportsnet, “I knew that was irresponsible and I shouldn’t have behaved that way,” he said. “But while I was sitting there taking these insults, my family was there, my kids were there. They were crying. They thought something was going to happen to me and I kind of reacted as a father, not as a player.

“I’m a professional. I know these things should not happen. And I apologize again to all the fans of Toronto. And this won’t happen again.”

The Italian star’s season like his team’s has been forgettable at only 4 goals in 19 games, add to it that he has also been injured the season has been a disaster. Since coming to MLS, Insigne has scored a total of 10 goals in 30 MLS games.

It cannot all be placed on the 32-year-old Italian, in soccer terms, Toronto FC is an utter mess. A team so disbalanced the club has not qualified to the playoffs in the last two seasons and are well on track on missing out on the postseason for a third straight year. Shocking considering up until the arrival of Lionel Messi to Inter Miami, TFC is one the league’s biggest spenders, the problem is most of that salary cap is on two unhappy players Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi.

According to NYCFC Source, the former Napoli star is searching for a way out of MLS and has a potential offer from Saudi Arabia on the table.

Lorenzo Insigne back to Europe?

While Lorenzo Insigne does have an offer from an unnamed Saudi club, it is reported that Insigne wants a return to Europe. According to NYCFC source, TFC knows that their star player is heading for the door and want just $7.5 million for him, his personal terms will be an issue, Insigne earns close to $7.5 million in salary, a price tag few European teams will be willing to match.

At this point if the Italian were to leave it would be for a huge pay cut, even half his current wages but given how unhappy the player is in Toronto it seems likely.

What will happen with Federico Bernardeschi?

The other unhappy Italian is Federico Bernardeschi, who was benched by Bob Bradley earlier in the year, and despite the former USMNT coach’s firing, still is keen on leaving the club. Reports of a summer loan to Bologna have cooled down, but according to sources Bernardeschi is still pushing to leave.

Bernardeschi earns over $6 million in salary and is in the same boat as his Italian counterpart in that in order to return to Europe, he would need to take a massive pay cut.

Insigne at the moment is the league’s highest paid player, with a reported official income as per the MLSPU of $7.5 million, but it is reported that he earns as high as $14 million with bonuses.

Taylor Twellman also reported that the player has been holding talks with an unnamed Saudi club for the last 2-3 weeks.

Lorenzo Insigne and Toronto FC have flopped in MLS

The Italian came to MLS with a lot of hype, coming off of a fantastic season with Napoli. Lorenzo Insigne has praised the level of MLS, but things at Toronto FC have not gone well at all.

A reported rift with former manager Bob Bradley, who was eventually fired, has been one of the causes, and the disorder of the project another focal point.

Toronto sits next to last in the MLS East, only outdone by Inter Miami who is in last place. Under Bradley the team was mediocre at best, and Lorenzo Insigne’s numbers so far are 10 goals, 4 assists in 27 league matches.

Effort has never been a question, rather the team around the Italian, who looks ready to try something new following what can only be described as one of the biggest flop signings in MLS history.

In his 12-year football career, Insigne has played for Italian-only clubs like Napoli, Cavese, Foggia and Pescara. Also, he has completed all the way through the youth Italian national teams with the U-20 and U-21 before he made his senior debut.

Despite he is a 2021UEFA Euro Champion, the Major League Soccer decided to leave him out of the 2022 MLS All-Star game. However, he won’t be totally out of the MLS All-Star action for the coming week at the Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Lorenzo Insignewon’t play against the All-Star Liga MX team

The Italian player played his first MLS game on July 23. Its just two weeks before the MLS All-Star game. Since then, Insigne has played 2 more games and registered 1 goal scored. Therefore, the Major League Soccer decided not to list him for the MLS All-Star roster.

However, the 31-year-old player will be taking part of the MLS All-Star event. As he was selected in a 10-man rosterto compete in the Skills Challenge for the MLS team on Tuesday, August 9 at theAllianz Field.

The MLS roster to compete in the 2022 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge is composed bySebastian Driussi,Jesus Ferreira, Javier Hernandez, Hector Herrera, Carles Gil, Sean Johnson, Hany Mukhtar,Dayne St. Clair and Emanuel Reynoso.

This 2022, MLS went to Europe to sign the biggest stars available and include them in their teams. Gareth Bale left Real Madrid to join LAFC alongside Giorgio Chiellini. Lorenzo Insigne had a very emotional goodbye from Napoli to travel to Canada and sign with Toronto FC. And in Chicago they looked for another top player and found Xherdan Shaqiri as the best one to improve their offensive game.

As for Liga MX, they could also present a huge roster for the game to be played next August 10. André-Pierre Gignac and Florian Thauvin are the pilars of Tigres; Pumas signed Gustavo del Prete, Eduardo Salvio and are waiting for a response from Dani Alves; and Jonathan Rodríguez went back to Mexico to play for America. It will be a match with very interesting names and one where the fans will enjoy every second of it.

Why Gareth Bale, Lorenzo Insigne, Giorgio Chiellini and Xherdan Shaqiri will not play the MLS All-Star game vs Liga MX?

The Major League Soccer made a ballot for people to select the best players for the MLS All-Star game vs Liga MX, where neither Gareth Bale, Lorenzo Insigne, Giorgio Chiellini, nor Xherdan Shaqiri were in it. As they are newcomers to the competition and even some of them have not made their debut, they will have to wait for another year to be availablefor the match.

It was intended that Lorenzo Insigne had his first minutes with Toronto FC in the begginings of July, but an injury kept him away from the matches. As for Gareth Bale and Giorgio Chiellini, they could not appear with LAFC in the duel against LA Galaxy for ‘El Tráfico’ as both were not in the best physical conditions to have some minutes.

Which is the 2022 MLS All-Star Team Roster for the game against Liga MX?

A total of 26 participants were selected by the fans, media and current MLS players. US men’s national team members such as Walker Zimmerman and Jesus Ferreira were called alongside other international stars such as Chicharito Hernandez, Carlos Vela or Taty Castellanos.

For Toronto FC it was the culmination of a process which began at the end of last season and “kicked off” with a pre-contract signed in January. “We have a lot of ambition at our club and we’re really looking over these next four or five years for Lorenzo to be a foundational piece” Toronto FC president Bill Manning stated.

Lorenzo Insigne not only is MLS highest paid player but could unofficially have signed the biggest contract in league history. Here is where Lorenzo Insigne stacks up with the other big contracts in MLS.

Lorenzo Insigne MLS highest paid player

While MLS contracts are a “work of art” so to speak, with compensation coming in from other areas besides base salaries, Lorenzo Insigne signed a four-year deal worth a reported $15 million a season. When compared to what Gareth Bale is reported to be earning on his player’s contract it is nearly $14 million more, as Bale is set to earn below $1.6 million on his 1-year deal with LAFC.

Xherdan Shaqiri, who plays for the bewildered Chicago Fire is at $8.1 million, Javier Hernández who plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy is at $6 million, and Gonzalo Higuaín who has largely disappointed at Inter Miami is at $5.8 million.

When it comes to other major players in MLS, Josef Martínez of Atlanta United is at $4.1 million, playmaker Carles Gil is at $3.5 million, and Nicolás Lodeiro is on $3.2 million.

Early 2022 MLS MVP candidate Sebastián Driussi is on $2.3 million, MLS highest incoming transfer player ever Argentine Thiago Almada is on $2.3 Million with Valentín “Taty” Castellanos the league’s golden boot in 2021, at a bargain $1 million a year.

Despite former Italian Toronto player Sebastian Giovinco, about the disadvantages for a European player to come to MLS,Lolowill leave Serie A to start the first soccer adventure outside his country. Previously, he has just worn Cavese, Foggia, Pescara, and his current team Napoli colors.

Lorenzo Insigne has recently won the European Cup with Italy, on which he played a key role for the Azzurra. The 30-year old is just 5,4 tall but he is a skillful and creative forward that usually plays as a winger with constant moves to the center. He has 416 appearances with Napoli and has scored 114 goals so far. Definitely, one of I Partenopei stars and most talented players of Serie A.

Lorenzo Insigne and the rest of the biggest arrivals from Italian Serie A to MLS

Roberto Donadoni. A very talented midfield that was a vital member of Arrigo Sacchi and Carlo Ancelloti‘shistoric AC Milan in the late ’80s and early ’90s. He has won 3 Champions League and 5 Serie A titles before joining New York Metro Stars in 1996 to be part of the MLS birth. With the new Red Bulls, Donadoni scored just 6 goals in 49 games played.

Marco Di Vaio. A name not as big as Donadoni or Insigne but with a good history in the MLS. Directly from Bologna FC, Di Vaio was signed by Montreal Impact, now CF Montreal, in 2012 and become the first Designated Player of the Canadian franchise. He helped his team to win 2 Canadian Championships and, in the MLS’s fields, he achieved 77 appearances and 34 goals.

Sebastian Giovinco. The Atomic Ant is considered a true legend for Toronto FC. Lorenzo Insigne has a hard challenge ahead if he wants to surpass Giovinco’s legacy. Coming from mighty Juventus, the 5.3 tall player was a key part to winning the only MLS Cup ofthe Redsso far. His stats show 125 MLS games played with 73 goals (2015 MLS Golden Boot) and 57 assists.

Blaise Matuidi. The French FIFA World Cup Champion in 2018 left Juventus to move to Inter Miami in 2020. So far,the Octopusperformance has been discreet: 47 matches, just 2 goals, and two assists in two seasons. In fact, there are rumors that Matuidi will leavethe Heronsfor the upcoming season.

Insigne is on the Italian national team and was a part of Italy’s Euro 2020 championship squad. Fabrizio Romano has been reporting that Toronto is “more than serious” about signing the striker, who has over 80 goals in over 300 games at the club made famous by Diego Maradona.

Still questions about whether Insigne’s place on the Italian national team would be in jeopardy if he makes the move to MLS are still up in the air. At the moment MLS writer Michael Singh is reporting that Insigne and TFC have agreed to terms, and he would arrive in the Summer. Here is the rundown of Lorenzo Insigne’s contract at TFC.

Lorenzo Insigne’s contract in MLS

According to Fabrizio Romano the deal would be five and half years, 11-million-euro salary per season, €4.5 million for personal goals/targets. It would make the Italian the highest paid player in MLS next season.

Toronto FC has experience with Italian strikers as Sebastian Giovinco played for the club back in 2015, the little forward was a goal machine, 68 goals in 114 games winning 1 MLS Cup, 1 Supporters Shields, and 3 Canadian championships. Unfortunately, Giovinco’s great form in MLS only saw him see bench warming or sub minutes on the Italian national team. You have to go back to 1996 with MetroStars midfielder Roberto Donadoni playing substantial minutes for Italy while playing for an MLS side.

UPDATE:According to Fabrizio RomanoLorenzo Insigne would arrive to Toronto FC in July after the end of the Serie A season.

Romelu Lukaku‘s return to Chelsea meant a huge blow to the Nerazzurri, who lost firepower up front. But they moved fast to replace him,landing AS Roma‘sEdin Dzeko as well as Lazio‘s Joaquin Correa.

However, throughout the summer Inter were heavily linked with a move for Serie Arivals’player that seems to be their priority target for next season. Although they failed to sign him this year, they would be already preparing how to approach him in January.

Inter Milan don’t give up on Napoli star, prepare lucrative contract to sign him for free

Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport reported that Inter Milan are already thinking about closing in on Lorenzo Insigne in the winter transfer window, where he could negotiate for a pre-contract agreement.

Interwould hopethat Insigne hasn’t agreed to a new deal by then, enabling him to discuss with other clubs for a free move in June 2022. The Nerazzurris would be willing to offer him a four-year deal worth€31 million.

The contract would consist of a €6 million salary per season plus a €7 million signing bonus. Insigne, 30, is a Napoli product and has only left them a few times on loan. Will this season be his last one at the club where he rose to stardom?

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