The Major League Soccer (MLS) which was founded in 1993 and had its first football season in 1997 was formerly described as the pensioners League for European players but that has begun to change as the league has been attracting more younger players from top clubs in Europe in recent times. One example of such a player is 27-year-old Venezuela striker Josef Martínez who left Italian Serie A club, Torino, to MLS club Atlanta United in 2017.
Besides the fact that the age range of soccer stars who leave top European clubs for the MLS is becoming broader, the money MLS clubs pay to bring soccer stars to the American league is also soaring by the day and so the value of the players in the league.
Below is a list of the top 10 most valuable players in the MLS as of August 14, 2020.
- Josef Martínez – €14 million
Josef Martínez is the most valuable player that is currently playing in the MLS. The 27-year-old former Torino and Venezuela striker who has been playing for Atlanta United since 2017 is worth €14 million in the transfer market.
- Gonzalo Martínez – €12 million
Gonzalo Martínez is the second most valuable soccer star in the MLS. The 27-year-old Argentina left-winger who joined MLS Atlanta United in 2019 was a former player of Argentine club River Plate. His current market value is €12 million.
- Carlos Vela – €12 million
Carlos Vela transfer market value is currently €12 million. The 31-year-old former Mexico international and former Real Sociedad star has been playing for MLS club Los Angeles FC since 2018.
- Diego Rossi – €11 million
Diego Rossi is an Uruguayan wonder kid who has been doing great things with Los Angeles FC since 2018. The current transfer market value of the 22-year-old left-winger is €11 million.
- Blaise Matuidi – €10.50 million
Blaise Matuidi is the latest soccer star that just left Europe to the MLS. The 33-year-old France international just signed for MLS club Inter Miami from Juventus in 2020. His current market value is €10.50 million.
- Cristian Pavón – €10 million
Cristian Pavón is on loan at Los Angeles Galaxy from an Argentine club, Boca Juniors. The 24-year-old Argentina right-winger who has been in the MLS since 2019 is currently worth €10 million in the transfer market.
- Ezequiel Barco – €9 million
Ezequiel Barco is the youngest soccer star on this list. The 21-year-old Argentina soccer star has been playing in the MLS with Atlanta United FC since 2018. He joined the club from the Argentine club Independiente. His current transfer market value is €9 million.
- Jürgen Locadia – €8 million
Jürgen Locadia is a center-forward from the Netherlands. He came to MLS club FC Cincinnati on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2020. The current market value of the 26-year-old striker is €8 million.
- Rodolfo Pizarro
Rodolfo Pizarro is a 26-year-old Mexican attacking midfielder who used to play for Mexican club Monterrey. The soccer star joined MLS club Inter Miami in 2020. His current market value is €8 million.
- Javier Hernández (Chicharito)
Chicharito is the most traveled member of this group of soccer stars. He has played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe including Manchester United and Real Madrid. The 32-year-old Mexican soccer star joined Los Angeles Galaxy in 2020. His current market value is €6.80 million.
