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Kylian Mbappé was only eight years old when David Beckham joined the LA Galaxy back in 2007, yet the former England captain arguably wields greater influence over MLS today than he did at the time—so much so that he's actively courting the French star for a potential future move to the United States.
Mbappé is currently competing at the World Cup with France, where he has netted four goals across two matches, level with Erling Haaland and just one behind the seemingly ageless Lionel Messi. He could even finish the tournament as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, provided he outscores Messi by two goals or more.
Widely considered the finest striker on the planet alongside Kane, Mbappé still has much to accomplish at his current club Real Madrid—but he notably declined to rule out a potential move to the U.S. at some stage when pressed by journalists.
"Will I come here before the end of my career? Maybe, I do not know," Mbappé said. "David asks me if I want to come to the United States. We will see. It is a country I like, it is a pleasure to be here. The United States has a different culture from ours. I have always liked this culture where ambition has no limits, where people are not afraid to say what they can and want to do. It does not work everywhere."
Messi's Brilliance, MLS Calendar Shift
With MLS transitioning to a winter-based schedule to fall in line with the world's premier leagues, the financial firepower of the league's wealthiest owners could be on full display—and U.S. soccer executives will aggressively pursue elite talents like Mbappé, even well before the twilight of their careers.
Although Lionel Messi didn't begin his MLS journey until the age of 36, his remarkable performances in the league and now on the World Cup stage are undeniably strengthening the case for MLS attracting global superstars.
Despite an already impressive World Cup history, Messi's scoring rate has never been sharper at the tournament, and this comes on the back of an MLS season in which he has registered 12 goals and eight assists in just 14 appearances. Last season, he guided Inter Miami to the MLS Cup title while also claiming his second consecutive MLS MVP award, tallying 29 goals and 19 assists across 28 matches.
While the 27-year-old Mbappé remains contracted to Real Madrid until 2029, an MLS move could materialise sooner than anticipated. With the calendar realignment and the league's growing stature, MLS clubs will be expected to pursue Mbappé's next deal—and certain franchises, backed by European clubs or NFL ownership groups, will have the financial muscle to compete with the world's most lucrative offers.
The key obstacle will undoubtedly be Mbappé's desire to keep testing himself against the very best. MLS is improving at a rapid pace, but there remains a considerable gap between what Real Madrid offers—competing in the Champions League against Europe's elite annually—and where the league currently stands.
Where Would Mbappe Fit in MLS?
Identifying the ideal MLS destination for Mbappé at this stage is largely speculative, given how dramatically rosters will evolve over the coming seasons and how clubs adapt to the new calendar, along with potential restructuring of salary frameworks that may accompany the transition.
That said, it's not premature to hypothetically identify the clubs most likely to be in contention.
Inter Miami, co-owned by Beckham, will be seeking a new marquee attraction once Messi's contract expires in 2028, and could present Mbappé with a comparable arrangement—including revenue-sharing from broadcasting rights and a host of additional perks beyond his base salary. However, they may face stiff competition from several other MLS sides.
Already embracing American culture in New York-New Jersey during this World Cup, New York City FC could enter the conversation, bolstered by the financial resources of City Football Group and the prospect of hosting a superstar at the still-new Etihad Park in Queens. Meanwhile, LAFC and the LA Galaxy can dangle the glamorous lifestyle of Southern California as an attractive proposition.
A potential dark horse in the race, however, could be CF Montréal. A decade ago, the club—then known as the Montréal Impact—attracted the likes of Didier Drogba and Alessandro Nesta, though marquee signings have been scarce since. With the calendar switch, MLS commissioner Don Garber is urging the club and local authorities to push through renovations to the 1976 Olympic Stadium, which would deliver a climate-controlled indoor venue in one of the league's most frigid markets.
SI answers is our AI answer engine trained on human-created content.
Should Montréal successfully renovate the Olympic Stadium, there could be a compelling case for luring a French superstar with African heritage to the vibrant, French-speaking, and passionately sporting city that Montréal represents.