Who are some of the best players in the MLS right now? While the exciting news about Lionel Messi joining an Inter Miami squad puts him at the top of this list, many other players in the league have tremendous skill. Subscribe to Fubo and don’t miss out on any player and MLS game this season.
The 10 Best Players in the MLS Right Now
Over the past few years, famous players from across the globe have decided to join MLS teams, making the league all the more popular and in the process changing how the United States views soccer. The first one to really start the trend was renowned soccer star David Beckham, who signed with the LA Galaxy back in 2007. Most recently, Lionel Messi chose to sign with Inter Miami instead of other offers from European clubs and a lucrative offer from Saudia Arabia.
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Top 10 MLS Players in 2023
10. Facundo Torres, 22, Winger, Orlando City
One of the brightest young talents in MLS right now, Facundo Torres was part of Uruguay’s World Cup squad and will be around for many years to come. Yet there’s plenty to like right now as well. Orlando City will be relying on him this upcoming season.
9. Miles Robinson, 25, Defender, Atlanta United
After Robinson injured his Achilles last season, the Atlanta United defense was left in complete disarray, showing just how important he is to the team. He has plenty to prove coming off a major injury, but if he returns to his former level, Robinson is one of the best defenders in the league. They’ll need their World Cup-caliber defender to succeed in any way this season.
8. Walker Zimmerman, 29, Defender, Nashville SC
Walker Zimmerman returns for his fourth season with Nashville SC after anchoring the backline that conceded the fourth-fewest goals last season and the fewest road goals allowed in the league (20) in 2022. Zimmerman earned MLS Best XI honors in 2022, becoming the fifth player in MLS History to be named to the Best XI in four consecutive seasons. Zimmerman’s four MLS Best XI selections are the most among active MLS players while ranking tied for fifth all-time.
7. Josef Martinez, 29, Forward, Inter Miami
Josef Martinez is a top player in the league, but he has something to prove after leaving Atlanta United. He’s not the same player he was prior to his ACL tear in 2019, but he’s still a top goalscoring talent, and with a change of scenery and the addition of Lionel Messi on the attack is bound to have a great year.
6. Andre Blaje, 32, Goalkeeper, Philadelphia Union
As young and talented players come and go for the Philadelphia Union, one individual remains an ever-present constant, and that’s the man in goal. Andre Blake remains one of the best goalkeepers in the league year in and year out, and that’s no different this season. As one of the top performers both statistically and against the eye test, he’s easily the best and most important player on this squad.
5. Carlos Vela, 33, Forward, LAFC
While LAFC is definitely talented at the midfielder position with Jose Cifuentes and Kellyn Acosta, and the new signing Denis Bouanga helps, Vela still means the most to LAFC. Vela shared the spotlight last season with the likes of Gareth Bale and Cristian Arango, but now that those players are gone, the attack is once again his.
4. Lorenzo Insigne, 31, Forward, Toronto FC
One of the most expensive signings in MLS history still has a lot to prove in Toronto. Insigne joined last summer and provided six goals in 11 appearances, but it remains to be seen whether he can keep up that pace for an entire season while also staying healthy. The team’s success hinges on what Insigne can provide from start to finish through his first full campaign in the league.
3. Sebastian Driussi, 27, Midfielder, Austin FC
Sebastian Driussi is one of the most versatile players in MLS. He passes like a midfielder, scores like a forward, and dribbles like a winger. After collecting 22 regular season goals and three more in the playoffs, Driussi is primed for another season carrying the Austin FC attack. He’ll no doubt be considered one of the top contenders to carry his team deep into the playoffs.
2. Riqui Puis, 22, Midfielder, LA Galaxy
Riqui Puig changed the fortunes of the Galaxy in his short time with the club after joining last summer. He injected life into a sputtering Western Conference team and helped get them to the Western Conference semifinals. Puig will likely do the same thing again this season.
1 Hany Mukhtar, 27, Midfielder, Nashville SC
Reigning MVP Hany Mukhtar will have plenty of challengers for his crown, but if he plays like he did last season another MVP could be coming his way. The MLS Golden Boot winner also secured his second consecutive MLS Best XI honor. With 23 goals and 11 assists in 2022, Mukhtar is the first player to lead the league in consecutive seasons since 2015-16. The MVP’s 62 combined goals and assists from 2021-22 are the fifth-most over a two-year span in MLS history.
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Who Is the Best MLS Player?
While all of these players are amazing in their own right, when the world’s best soccer player signs with Inter Miami, he immediately skyrockets to the top of the list. Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami changed the entire dynamics of MLS and who will win the championship.
Not just that, he’ll bring star power that is unmatched and has arguably never been seen in MLS. Beckham is one thing, but Messi is without a doubt the best player in the world. His move to the MLS made headlines across the world and created excitement throughout the United States.
Inter Miami’s social media following has already skyrocketed beyond those of many NHL, MLB and NFL teams thanks to the move. Cumulative ticket sales for their games from July to the end of the season have seen an almost 28-fold increase. The big question: Can it last?
How to Watch the MLS?
Want to watch MLS this season and Messi’s debut? Then make sure you’re subscribed to Fubo, which gives you access to all nationally televised MLS games, as well as regional coverage during the season.
Fubo is the leading sports-first live TV streaming platform, offering 100+ live TV channels and regional sports networks. The service includes a DVR as well as on-demand content and focuses on sports programming. Fubo is the only live TV streaming platform with every Nielsen-rated sports channel. Leveraging Fubo’s proprietary data and technology platform optimized for live TV and sports viewership, subscribers can engage with the content they are watching through interactive product features like FanView, an in-video experience showcasing live game, team and player stats and scores in real-time. Fubo was also the first virtual MVPD to enable simultaneous viewing on up to four screens (Multiview on Apple TV) and the first to stream in 4K HDR. The service was ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction among Live TV Streaming Providers by J.D. Power (2022).
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FAQs
Which is the best team in MLS history?
The 1998 DC United and 1998 LA Galaxy are tied for the most wins in a single MLS season with 24 wins.
Which MLS team has the most Instagram followers?
Inter Miami now has more Instagram followers than every NFL, MLB, NHL and MLS team after Lionel Messi revealed his plans to sign with club. The team currently has 8.1 million followers.
Is the MLS as good as the Premier League?
When you compare players from the MLS vs. Premier League, there’s no doubt that the best players in the world are playing in the EPL. The EPL had an average attendance of 41,430 across 380 games in the 2021-22 season. Across 489 games the MLS had an average of 20,526. However, MLS seems to be closing the gap with more international players signing and a recent increase in attendance.
