With Chiellini to the MLS, where does he rank amongst the biggest names in league history?
LOS ANGELES (BVM) — While the I鈥檚 still need to be dotted and the T鈥檚 still need to be crossed, the transfer of Giorgio Chiellini to LAFC is headed toward the finish line. The longtime Juventus center back will immediately be the most recognizable face in the league for soccer fans around the world.
With the blockbuster impending, where does Chiellini rank among the biggest names to land in the MLS? Here are the top 10:
- Bastian Schweinsteiger, Chicago Fire, 2017-2019
Schweinsteiger was a mainstay in the midfield for Bayern Munich from 2002 through 2015 before heading to the Premier League. Known as one of the greatest German soccer players of all time, Schweinsteiger made 121 appearances for his national team, more notably captaining the 2014 World Cup champion team.
The eight-time Bundesliga champion made 85 appearances for the Fire with eight goals before retiring in 2019.
- Didier Drogba, Montreal Impact, 2015-2016
The 6-foot-2 Ivory Coast striker was a vital part of Chelsea鈥檚 frontline from 2004 through 2012 and also for the 2014-2015 season. Drogba scored 104 goals for the West London club, the most by a foreign-born player in club history. Outside of his contribution to four Premier League championships, he was crucial to his international team as well, being the all-time goalscorer for Ivory Coast.
Drogba made an impact for Montreal, scoring 21 goals in two seasons. After his contract expired in 2016, he signed with the Phoenix Rising in the USL to finish his career, later becoming a minority owner of the club.
- Andrea Pirlo, NYCFC, 2015-2017
While Pirlo spent 10 seasons with AC Milan, he may best be known for his four seasons with a dominant Juventus club in the early 2010s. A key cog in its midfield, Juventus won Serie A every season it had Pirlo along with two Champions League trophies. His impact was rewarded with winning the league鈥檚 player of the year award three times during this span.
Pirlo came to the United States in 2015 to join recently founded NYCFC. The Italian legend scored 60 goals during his time in the Bronx, but never won any trophies in the MLS. He retired in 2017.
- David Villa, NYCFC, 2015-2018
Villa is known as one of the greatest players that Spain has ever produced. With his country record of 59 goals in international play, Villa helped guide Spain to gold during the Euros in 2008 and the World Cup in 2010. In club play, he was a household name during his time with Valencia, Barcelona and Atl茅tico Madrid. He scored 223 career goals along with his three La Liga titles and two Champions League titles.
After arriving in New York for the club鈥檚 inaugural season, Villa would score 77 goals over the span of his four seasons, winning the league MVP in 2016. Following the 2018 season, Villa made the move to Japan to play for Vissel Kobe until retiring in 2020.
- Giorgio Chiellini, LAFC, 2022
One of the best center backs of the 21st century, Chiellini has been the heartbeat of the Juventus and Italian backline since 2005. The 37-year-old has won the Serie A Defender of the Year three times along with his nine league titles.聽
After Chiellini made 425 appearances for Juventus and 117 appearances for Italy, which he retired from earlier this year, he looks to start the next chapter in his career at LAFC.
- Frank Lampard, NYCFC, 2015-2016
Lampard is truly one of the Premier League greats with his 176 goals over the course of 20 seasons in England. The longtime Chelsea Blue player, Lampard won three league titles along with a Champions League title. The all-time Chelsea goal scorer with his 211 goals, was also a big part of the England national team with his 106 appearances.
Throughout his two years at NYCFC, the midfielder scored 15 goals for the Pigeons. Despite constructing a roster around Lampard, Villa and Pirlo, NYCFC did not win their first title until 2021, when none of the three superstars were no longer on the team. Lampard retired following the 2016 season and now manages Everton Football Club.
- Wayne Rooney, DC United, 2018-2019
Wayne Rooney was the definition of a wunderkind coming up with Everton and he lived up to all of the hype. After making the move to Manchester United in 2004, he became one of the greatest Red Devils of all time, playing at Old Trafford until 2017. Rooney is the all-time leading goalscorer with the club with 253 goals, along with winning five Premier League titles and one Champions League title in 2008. He is also the all-time goalscorer for England with 53.
Rooney was very efficient in his two seasons in the MLS with D.C. United, scoring 23 goals in his 48 appearances. Following the 2019 season, Rooney returned to England to play for Championship side Derby County, later becoming the club鈥檚 manager in November 2020. The team was relegated this season to England鈥檚 League One.
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic, LA Galaxy, 2018-2020
With various stints across some of the best clubs in Europe, not too many strikers have been as productive as Zlatan has throughout his career. The 6-foot-5 central forward has been a part of 11 league trophy teams throughout his European career. He is also the all-time goalscorer for Sweden with 62 in 121 appearances.
None of the names on this list dominated the MLS quite like Zlatan did. In 56 games, Ibrahimovic scored 52 goals during his time with the Galaxy. After two seasons, it was evident that he would make a return to European soccer. In the winter of 2019, Ibrahimovic went back to AC Milan and was a part of another Serie A title this past season.聽
- Thierry Henry, New York Red Bulls, 2010-2014
When having the conversation about the greatest Premier League player of all time, Henry鈥檚 name is always mentioned. Best known for his contributions on the undefeated 2003-2004 Arsenal team, Henry is the leading Gunner goalscorer with 228. After an eight year stint in London, the French footballer took his talents to Barcelona, where he won two more league titles. He is also the leading goalscorer for the France national team with 51, helping them win a World Cup in 1998.
Henry scored 51 goals during his time with the Red Bulls and retired after the 2014 season. Not long after he hung up the boots, Henry got into coaching. After short spells at Monaco and Montreal, he is now an assistant with the Belgian national team.
- David Beckham, LA Galaxy, 2007-2012
Even for people who do not watch soccer, they will more than likely know who David Beckham is and what he looks like. In 2007, a 32-year-old Beckham sent shockwaves throughout the soccer world with his move from Real Madrid to the LA Galaxy. Having a global star in his prime come to America was unheard of then and still is to this day. Beckham made a name for himself under Alex Ferguson鈥檚 United teams from 1992 through 2003 before making the move to Spain. He scored 77 goals in his time in Europe while winning eight league titles and one Champions League trophy.
The two-time Ball贸n d鈥橭r runner up made an instant impact in America scoring 98 goals in MLS with two league titles. Beckham is now the co-owner of MLS club, Inter Miami.
