Top 10 former LaLiga stars currently playing in MLS 2024

Published at :March 25, 2024 at 11:12 PM

Modified at :March 25, 2024 at 11:12 PM

Four Inter Miami and two LA Galaxy current MLS stars on the top 10

The journey from Spain to the United States may be 7,584 kilometres, but that hasn’t stopped several former LaLiga stars to venture in the States. Global superstars who once played in the Spanish top division have graced the pitches of America. To name a few, Gareth Bale, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Villa, Kaká and current co-owner of Inter Miami – David Beckham, all have once shown up in the league as a football player.

The 2024 Major League Soccer is underway. Luis Suárez was the craziest-latest former LaLiga player to join the MLS ranks. But that’s not it, even when a young player like Riqui Puig who felt betrayed at FC Barcelona can call LA Galaxy his next home, there’s something really good about the inviting nature of MLS. Let’s further venture into briefing the ten superstars currently in MLS who at least at some point in their career kicked the ball in LaLiga.

10. Martin Caceres (LA Galaxy)

The Uruguayan centre-back has an impressive CV. At 36 he currently takes the field for LA Galaxy. Martín Cáceres has played in the Serie A and even the Premier League as well. In LaLiga, Recreativo Huelva was the first club for whom he featured in Spanish first tier. Later FC Barcelona, Sevilla FC and Levante UD have also been his homes.

9. Carles Gil (New England Revolution)

The Spaniard is still just 31 and captains the Eastern Conference outfit New England Revolution. Born in Valencia, Spain, Carles Gil came through the ranks of Valencia CF’s youth system. A total of 74 appearances are earmarked in his career in the Spanish top flight. Elche CF happens to be the first club that gave him the runtime in LaLiga followed by Valencia CF and Deportivo de La Coruña.

8. Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy)

The player is still quite young. Aged 24, Riqui Puig probably doesn’t have a fond memory of being in Spain. While he was with FC Barcelona, head coach Xavi had asked him to not train with the first team which subsequently led to a free transfer to MLS. Still, history says, Puig has made 42 LaLiga appearances in total recording 2 goals and 2 assists.

7. Asier Illarramendi (FC Dallas)

The right-footed defensive midfielder made a switch in the summer of 2023 to join FC Dallas on a free transfer. Before that move, Asier Illarramendi had played for only two Spanish clubs – Real Sociedad and Real Madrid, in his entire career. Overall for both teams, a total of 297 top-flight games were played. With Los Blancos, Illarramendi won the 2013-14 UEFA Champions League title.

6. Luis Muriel (Orlando City SC)

The 32-year-old Colombian centre-forward has made almost ten times the number of appearances in Serie A than in the LaLiga. But still, his 35-odd appearances in the Spanish top flight keep him on the list. All those games came in two seasons with Sevilla FC from 2017 to 2019.

5. Hector Herrera (Houston Dynamo)

The Mexican galvanises the Houston Dynamo team as a leader currently. Héctor Herrera’s biggest team he ever played for in his CV goes by the name of Atlético de Madrid. After a free move from FC Porto back in July 2019, Herrera stayed with the Los Colchoneros until 2022 July. In three short seasons, the midfielder capped 58 LaLiga games.

4. Luis Suarez (Inter Miami)

The latest former FC Barcelona player that joined Inter Miami is causing mayhem in the Major League Soccer. In just 5 games, he has 4 goals and 3 assists. The striker has played for both FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid in the Spanish top division. 176 goals and 84 assists after having made a combined total of 258 LaLiga appearances for both teams.

3. Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami)

The whole football world was emotional upon hearing the news that finally Sergio Busquets would be leaving Barca. Before his 2023 summer switch to the Herons, Busquets has been a first-team member exclusively of FC Barcelona since 2008. The midfield genius provided 35 assists in 481 total LaLiga games for the Blaugrana while winning 9 league titles as well.

2. Jordi Alba (Inter Miami)

A former Spanish international who primarily plays as a left-back and nothing else. The full-back has enjoyed the best of times with Barcelona in Spain but his LaLiga break came with Valencia CF. In the Spanish league, Jordi Alba managed to make 387 appearances which comprised 74 assists and 22 goals.

1. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)

LaLiga was never the same after Lionel Messi left. It probably still isn’t. The Argentine earned many records and titles in the Spanish top flight during his time there. The left-footed magician made a total of 520 LaLiga appearances. A total of 474 goals were netted in that period. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also gave away 216 assists in that period.

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