5 international stars that will end up in MLS

The next big-name players in North America will be crucial as Major League Soccer looks for ways to keep raising its profile.

David Beckham made the jump to Major League Soccer back in 2007, after spending a successful career in Europe that saw him lift multiple titles in England and Spain. At 31 years-old, the English midfielder could’ve joined almost any top team in Europe. Still, in what was a shocking move at the time, he made the decision to start a new challenge in America as an ambassador of the game.

The rest, as they say, is history.

By the time he retired in 2012, the Beckham experiment was deemed a success, both for the player and the league. The Spice Boy lifted two titles with the LA Galaxy and increased his already-marketable brand in the United States. Meanwhile, Major League Soccer expanded the Designated Player rule, added five new teams and built soccer-specific stadiums in places like Philadelphia, Kansas City and Houston.

It tends to be forgotten, but back in 2007 it was absurd to think of such a prominent star performing in some football stadium for a second-rate league. Nowadays, recognizable international soccer personalities like Kaká, David Villa, Didier Drogba and Giovani dos Santos compete in that same – but much-improved – league.

Who will they bring next?

It’s a very important question as MLS executives keep looking of ways to raise the league’s profile. While they still have to focus and improve in a lot of other areas, it’s certainly undeniable that MLS has been taking the right steps over the years.

And so, here are five international soccer stars that we’re bound to see at a local MLS franchise in the future.

Next: 5. Ronaldinho