MLS Eyes Vinicius and Mbappé
MLS Commissioner Don Garber expressed his desire to see Vinícius Jr. and Kylian Mbappé join Major League Soccer. With the 2026 World Cup creating surge in U.S. soccer interest, Garber sees this as a pivotal year for the league's global profile and ability to attract top talent. Messi's arrival has already increased league visibility, and more world-class signings could be transformative.
- Both players are secured by long-term contracts at Real Madrid, making any near-future move to MLS a formidable challenge; Kylian Mbappé is signed until 2029 and Vinícius Jr. has a contract running through 2027 which reportedly includes a €1 billion release clause. - To sign players of this caliber, an MLS club would utilize the Designated Player Rule, also known as the "Beckham Rule." This allows a team to sign up to three players whose salaries exceed the league's maximum salary cap, with the club's owners paying the overage. - The rule was famously created for David Beckham's arrival at the LA Galaxy in 2007, a move that transformed the league. His presence led to a 40% increase in league-wide attendance and helped skyrocket the value of the annual TV rights deal from $8 million to $250 million. - Other global superstars have left a significant mark on the league, including Zlatan Ibrahimović, who scored 52 goals in 56 games for the LA Galaxy and became the league's top-selling jersey in his first year. - French legend Thierry Henry also played a key role in elevating the league's status during his 2010-2014 tenure with the New York Red Bulls, helping to shed the "retirement league" reputation. He scored 51 goals in 122 appearances and won the Supporters' Shield in 2013. - David Beckham's original MLS contract included a unique clause that gave him the right to purchase an expansion team for a set price of $25 million upon his retirement. He exercised this option to create Inter Miami CF, the club that would later sign Lionel Messi.
