This is an UPDATED list of the best MLS players in 2024.
Major League Soccer has seen an influx of world-class talent in recent years.
We’ve seen legendary players like
- Wayne Rooney,
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic,
- Kaka,
- David Villa, and
- David Beckham
grace the MLS with their presence.
But this list isn’t an all-time top MLS players list. It’s about the best MLS players in 2024.
So, if you’re looking for a new and updated list of the best MLS players, you’re in the right place.
Criteria for Selection on The List
I’ve tried to make this list as fair as possible. But keep in mind that this is my personal opinion.
That said, here are the criteria I considered for players to be included in the list.
- Individual Performance
- Team Success
- The team’s performance in the regular season and playoffs
- Personal Characteristics
- Leadership qualities
- Versatility
- Popularity with fans
If you still feel that someone is more deserving to be on this list of the best MLS players, then let me know in the comments.
With that out of the way, let’s get started!
Best Players in MLS
10. Giorgos Giakoumakis
- Position: Forward
- Age: 29
- Plays for: Atlanta United
- Country: Greece
Giorgos Giakoumakis took the league by storm after he arrived in 2023.
He started with a bang, scoring in seven of his first 10 MLS matches. He also became the second-fastest player in MLS to reach double-digit goals.
Due to his standout season, Giakoumakis also won the 2023 MLS Newcomer of the Year.
Giakoumakis isn’t showing any signs of slowing down in his second season either. He has already scored 4 goals in the first 3 matches of the 2024 season.
9. Luciano Acosta
- Position: Attacking midfielder
- Age: 29
- Plays for: FC Cincinnati
- Country: Argentina
You can say that Luciano Acosta is one of the late bloomers in soccer. He has been a standout player in MLS for the past few years.
2023 was the peak year of Acosta’s career. He won the 2023 Landon Donovan MLS MVP award and was also a part of the 2023 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge roster.
Acosta was also vital for FC Cincinnati’s success in 2023. He helped the team win the Supporter’s Shield with his 31 goal contributions (17 goals and 14 assists).
So, Acosta was an easy pick to start this list.
8. Joseph Paintsil
Joseph Paintsil recently joined LA Galaxy from Genk as a designated player in 2024. And he comes with a lot of promise.
That’s why, he has become the second most expensive player in LA Galaxy club history.
Paintsil has an impressive track record in his previous clubs. He’s a pacey winger who can both score goals and provide assists.
He has also hit the ground running in MLS. In his first 4 games, Paintsil has already scored 2 goals and given 1 assist.
So, if the trajectory remains similar, I can see Paintsil having a long and successful career in MLS.
7. Denis Bouanga
- Position: Left Winger
- Age: 27
- Plays for: LA FC
- Country: Gabon
Denis Bouanga has been a standout performer in MLS across many seasons.
He won the 2023 MLS Golden Boot as the top scorer in the league, finishing the season with 20 goals and 7 assists.
Bouanga was also named to the 2023 MLS All-Star Team for his amazing performances over the season.
As an attacker, Bouanga can do it all. He can score all types of goals, give assists, and dribble through defenders.
That’s why Bouanga is consistently placed among the best players in MLS.
6. Riqui Puig
- Position: Central Midfield
- Age: 24
- Plays for: LA Galaxy
- Country: Spain
Riqui Puig’s performances with LA Galaxy have been exceptional. As a result, he has earned recognition as one of the best players in MLS.
He also won the 2023 MLS MVP award of the regular season and finished as LA Galaxy’s top scorer.
The former Barcelona star is still young. In a short time, he has already become a leader in the team and fan-favorite among LA Galaxy’s fans.
The future looks bright for Puig.
5. Jordi Alba
- Position: Left-back
- Age: 34
- Plays for: Inter Miami
- Country: Spain
Jordi Alba had a stellar career in Europe with Barcelona before moving to MLS. In 2023, he moved to Inter Miami and has become a vital part of the team.
Alba is known for his attacking style of play as a left-back. His ability to contribute offensively sets him apart from many defenders in the league.
Moreover, his experience and technical abilities have made him one of the best defenders in MLS.
4. Sergio Busquets
- Position: Defensive midfielder
- Age: 35
- Plays for: Inter Miami
- Country: Spain
Sergio Busquets is one of the most decorated players in soccer history. He was a part of the great Barcelona team under Pep Guardiola and the Spanish team that won the 2010 World Cup.
And now he has brought all his experience to Inter Miami in MLS.
His impact on the field for Inter Miami CF has already been significant.
Busquets’ ability to control the midfield and play progressive passes has given Inter Miami a new style of play.
Although it’s the start of his career in the league, we can still consider Busquets as one of the best players in MLS.
3. Luis Suarez
- Position: Forward
- Age: 37
- Plays for: Inter Miami
- Country: Uruguay
Luis Suarez could easily be in second place on this list if it wasn’t for his age.
Suarez was one of the many Inter Miami imports with a Barcelona past. Since joining Inter Miami CF, Suarez has shown his goal-scoring ability to the MLS fans.
In fact, he’s the joint-top scorer for the 2024 season, with 4 goals in 3 matches so far. He has also won the MLS Player of the Matchday twice in 2024.
So, you can see, why despite his age, I’ve put Suarez so high on this list.
2. Thiago Almada
- Position: Attacking midfielder
- Age: 22
- Plays for: Atlanta United
- Country: Argentina
On the penultimate position is the MLS star boy, Thiago Almada.
At just 22 years old, Almada has become a vital part of Atlanta United’s recent success.
In 2022, Almada won MLS Newcomer of the Year. Then in 2023, he won the MLS Young Player of the Year.
Almada has also set several records in the league. At 22 years old, he’s the youngest player in MLS history to record double-digit goals and assists in a single season.
He was also at the top of the MLS assists chart in 2023, with 19 assists to his name.
With all these records already under his belt, Almada can turn out to be a very special player.
1. Lionel Messi
- Position: Forward
- Age: 36
- Plays for: Inter Miami
- Country: Argentina
Was there ever any doubt that Messi would top this list?
Lionel Messi is not only the best player in MLS, but also one of the best players in soccer history.
Where do I begin with the records and achievements of Messi?
For starters, he’s the record Ballon d’Or winner with 8 awards.
Then, he has won everything there is to win in soccer. You can say that after the 2022 World Cup win Messi has completed soccer.
But Messi isn’t only important on the field for MLS. He’s as important for MLS off the field as well.
Messi’s arrival to MLS in 2022 was a monumental event in American sports history.
His reputation as one of the greatest players of all time has elevated the MLS to new heights. Now more global fans tune in to watch MLS games than ever before.
All this makes Messi a special and iconic player for the league.
Best Young Players To Look Out For in MLS
Talles Magno
- Position: Winger
- Age: 21
- Plays for: New York City FC
- Country: Brazil
At 21 years of age, Talles Magno is one of the most exciting young players in the MLS.
The Guardian also included Magno in their list of “Next Generation” in 2019.
Federico Redondo
- Position: Central midfielder
- Age: 21
- Plays for: Inter Miami
- Country: Spain
Inter Miami signed the 21-year-old Federico Redondo in 2024.
He joined the club from Argentinos Juniors and has quickly made an impact with his skills on the field.
Redondo’s signing is a part of Inter Miami’s strategy to develop a talented squad beyond star players like Lionel Messi.
Caleb Wiley
- Position: Left-back
- Age: 19
- Plays for: Atlanta United
- Country: United States of America
Caleb Wiley came through the Atlanta United academy and made his debut with Atlanta United 2 in 2020.
He has since established himself in the first team and signed a homegrown player contract.
Wiley’s skills and versatility have made him a promising talent to watch in MLS.
Alan Velasco
- Position: Left winger
- Age: 21
- Plays for: FC Dallas
- Country: Argentina
Alan Velasco joined FC Dallas in 2022 after a successful spell at Independiente. He was so in demand that FC Dallas paid a record $7 million to sign him.
Since the move, Velasco has been a key player for FC Dallas. From the wing, he has scored 10 goals and given 11 assists in 54 games.
He was also nominated for the MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2022 and MLS Young Player of the Year in 2023.
Thank You For Reading
So I hope you enjoyed this list of the best MLS players in 2024. If you did, then do consider sharing it with fellow soccer enthusiasts.
Your support and sharing of this content can help us reach a wider audience. It can also provide valuable information to more people who share our passion for the beautiful game.
I’d also like to hear what you have to say…
Did I leave anyone out from this list who deserved to be here?
Who do you think will be the next big star in MLS?
Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below right now!
And thank you for supporting Soccer Mavericks!
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- 300+ Soccer Terms and Slang To Make You an Expert
