Why Landon Donovan chose Liga MX instead of Major League Soccer

“No creo en los muros.”

The beautiful game can provide plenty of surprises, both on and off the pitch. Many times those shocks come in the form of players signing with unexpected teams, but few involved with the sport in the United States would have predicted what took place this past weekend.

US national team star Landon Donovan has once again come out of retirement, this time opting for Club León in Mexico’s Liga MX. The 35-year-old last played with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2016, making nine total appearances and scoring one goal.

Never one to go with predictable decisions, Donovan’s choice has been met with a variety of different reactions from fans and pundits. In a statement on Twitter, the midfielder displayed a significant level of passion for his new adventure.

The all-time MLS leader in both goals and assists, there are definitely questions from many in American soccer about Donovan’s move.

Why would the California native not choose to return to LA, for example? In a way, this is exactly the type of unique move that he has made throughout his entire career.

Going his own way

Whether it was his choice of clubs throughout the years or his controversial sabbatical from the game in 2012, Donovan is a contrarian at heart. Honest almost to a fault, it can be refreshing to see a player try something different.

It would have been easy for him to sign with the Galaxy or for any number of MLS sides. However, the intrigue of him with Los Esmeraldas will be absolutely fascinating.

The objective now will be to help his new side find success in the current Clausura tournament, and many in both Mexico and the US are anxious to find out how he will perform.

Next: MLS chances in the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League

Landon Donovan chose Liga MX for the newest chapter of his journey. MLS would have been obvious, and he rarely seems to go with the obvious.