Which Marquee Names Have Headed to the MLS This Summer?
The MLS no longer courts legends past their sell-by date; it has refashioned itself into something far more ambitious...
There was a time, not so long ago, when Major League Soccer was football's equivalent of a victory lap. Greats of the European game, such as David Beckham, Thierry Henry, and Zlatan Ibrahimović, have all glided across the Atlantic for one Last Dance. However, in the summer of 2025, times have changed.
The MLS no longer courts legends past their sell-by date; it has refashioned itself into something far more ambitious, more competitive, and, perhaps, more relevant. We see it everywhere: MLS clubs investing heavily in rising stars, putting faith in South American prodigies, and even luring marquee names before their legs go.
The result? Lionel Messi and Marco Reus—outstanding even among the storied veterans—headline clubs where development, tactics, and winning are king, not just shirt sales or PR sizzle.
And this summer, the pendulum swung once more, with MLS welcoming a trio of massive arrivals—each at a fascinating crossroads in their career. But who are they? You're about to find out.
Thomas Müller
Numbers tell only half the story with Thomas Müller. Yes, 756 appearances, 250 goals, 238 assists, and 33 trophies for Bayern Munich ensure legendary status. However, no one has ever invaded space quite literally like Tommy M, with his iconic Raumdeuter nickname given to him courtesy of his ability to always be in the right place at the right time.
Now, however, the 2018 World Cup winner heads to the third biggest stadium in Canada, Vancouver's BC Place. The Whitecaps' capture of Müller, finalized in early August, was nothing short of audacious—a signal of intent aimed not at nostalgia, but at silverware. Müller joins a Whitecaps side enjoying an era-defining season, perched atop the Western Conference, with ambitions stretching well beyond a playoff cameo. They have already picked up marquee wins against Messi's Miami this season, and they are gunning for a maiden MLS Cup come the end of the year. Everyone will be eager to see how he performs at this stadium and beyond.
But it’s more than what he brings between the lines. Müller is a serial winner, and his presence—from the training ground to the locker room—demands standards. Whitecaps CEO Axel Schuster called his arrival “a transformative moment for our club and our city.” No exaggeration: never before have Vancouver fans been able to claim a World Cup winner, a player whose career has literally shaped Bundesliga and Champions League history. Now, he is tasked with taking a championship to British Columbia for the first time ever.
Heung-Min Son
LAFC's $26.5m move for Heung-Min Son is not just a blockbuster; it's the highest fee ever paid by an MLS club. The South Korean superstar captained Tottenham Hotspur to their first major trophy in 17 years last season with a hard-fought victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final. That triumph was the perfect way to bring the curtain down on a glittering career in North London, a stint that saw Sonny bag 173 goals in 454 appearances and cement his status as one of Spurs' all-time greats.
Now, Sonny heads across the pond to California. And while the price tag forked out to secure his signature by the powers that be in Los Angeles is hefty - for a player heading into the twilight of his career - there are plenty of reasons for LAFC to feel confident of a return on their investment. Son’s signing will bring in plenty of cash on the commercial side of things. The former Hamburg youngster is like Cristiano Ronaldo in his homeland, and his move Stateside is an invitation to the enormous Asian football audience to come and digest MLS for the first time.
LAFC, sitting just outside the conference lead before his arrival, suddenly has a difference-maker who changes everything—on the pitch and off it. The team has been starved of a cutting edge since Gareth Bale led them to the double in 2022, but now his former Spurs teammate is poised to pick up where the Welsh Wizard left off.
The early signs? Son’s debut saw him make an instant impact, drawing fouls, creating chaos, and instantly lifting the team’s collective tempo. Now, the pressure is on to get up to speed quickly and lead one of MLS's best-supported clubs back to the promised land.
Rodrigo De Paul
No player embodies the evolution from artisan to architect quite like Rodrigo De Paul. His journey—from Udinese’s midfield maestro to Atlético Madrid’s relentless engine, as well as being Lionel Messi’s trusted adjutant in Argentina’s international conquests—has been remarkable in its scope and substance. Now, the relentless midfield will back up his iconic Argentinian teammate on the domestic stage as well, specifically in South Beach.
Inter Miami’s move to pair De Paul with Messi is as much about chemistry as it is about strategy. Miami’s season has been a relentless grind—injuries, international absences, fixture pile-ups. They needed structure and spark, a midfielder who can both shield the backline and probe with line-breaking passes. In De Paul, they’ve acquired someone who doesn’t just adapt to chaos—he thrives in it.
Beyond the numbers, there’s an emotional through-line: De Paul and Messi, together, have won the biggest trophies in football. Now, that partnership crosses the Atlantic, seeking to redefine success in MLS. If De Paul shores up Miami’s midfield as expected, don’t be surprised if their season ends with confetti raining in Fort Lauderdale and last season's shocking playoff exit being simply a distant memory.