Ahead of the start of the new Major League Soccer (MLS) season, Commissioner Don Garber has made it clear that he is eager to see Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappé eventually join MLS. Garber’s comments came as the league prepares to kick off its 31st season with a high-profile match between reigning MLS Cup champions Inter Miami and LAFC.
MLS Season Opener: A Blockbuster Matchup
The 2026 MLS season kicks off with an exciting clash between Inter Miami and LAFC at the LA Coliseum, expected to draw over 70,000 fans. This match is particularly notable due to the presence of soccer legend Lionel Messi, who recently joined Miami, and South Korean star Son Heung-min, who is about to begin his first full season in MLS after leaving Tottenham Hotspur. The event promises to showcase some of the league’s brightest talents and draw global attention.
Garber, who has been the driving force behind MLS’s growth since 1999, expressed his hopes of bringing more international superstars to the league. When asked about the possibility of seeing Vinícius Júnior and Mbappé in MLS, Garber said, "Would I love to see Vini here? Would I love to see Mbappé here? I think that some of the great players in the world want to play in the US, and that’s the game changer." Garber’s comments reflect the increasing appeal of MLS, not just for young talent but for established stars looking to extend their careers in North America.
The Messi Effect and MLS’s Rising Profile
The signing of Lionel Messi in 2023 to Inter Miami was a game-changer for MLS, and Garber admits that the move took many by surprise. “I don’t think anybody thought we’d ever sign Leo,” Garber said, acknowledging the challenges Miami faced in securing Messi’s signature. The Argentine legend’s presence in the league has turned heads worldwide, with Messi scoring goals for Miami and leading Argentina in World Cup qualifying matches. Garber praises Messi for his humility and character, calling him "the right kind of guy" to showcase what MLS has to offer to the world.
In the past, MLS had to convince star players to help build the league’s profile. However, Garber believes that the league no longer needs to prove its legitimacy. “The days of ‘Is soccer going to make it in America?’ are over,” he said. With high-profile figures like David Beckham now involved in the ownership and promotion of MLS, Garber feels confident in the league's place in global football. The momentum heading into the 2026 season, coinciding with the World Cup, only adds to the league's growing stature. Garber expects approximately 50 MLS players to represent their countries in the tournament, further solidifying the league's importance on the world stage.
A Bright Future for MLS and International Competitiveness
Looking ahead, Garber is optimistic about the future of MLS. He envisions the league competing with Europe’s top leagues, including the Premier League, Serie A, and Bundesliga, and is confident that a marquee signing will choose MLS during the prime of their career. “I think the next (star to come over) will be one of the top players in the world. Very confident of that actually,” Garber said, emphasizing the league’s ambition to attract global superstars in the years to come.
MLS has come a long way since its early days, and Garber’s comments reflect a growing belief that the league is now a major player in global football. With the upcoming World Cup providing further momentum and the league’s increasing ability to attract top talent, MLS is poised for an exciting future. The potential arrival of stars like Vinícius Júnior and Mbappé would only solidify the league’s reputation and bring even more international attention to North American soccer.
