The top 10 best players to join MLS - ranked | OneFootball

Major League Soccer has been home to several of the world's best players. From Zlatan Ibrahimovic to David Beckham, stars of past and present joined to revolutionize the league in their own way.

Lionel Messi will be no different, as the greatest player of all time joins Inter Miami to leave his mark on MLS. But before he arrives, let's take a look back at the top 10 best players to have played in the league...

10. David Villa - NYCFC

Villa scored plenty of goals with NYCFC / Tim Clayton - Corbis/GettyImages

Appearances: 652Goals: 339Assists: 87David Villa was legendary in La Liga and brought his goal scoring prowess to MLS. Spain's all time leading goalscorer led the line for the Blues upon arriving from Atletico Madrid. Villa shined in front of the NYCFC supporters, netting 77 goals during his stint to but the Citiyenz on the map.

9. Robbie Keane - LA Galaxy

Keane found the back of the net frequently / Victor Decolongon/GettyImages

Appearances: 505Goals: 227 Assists: 73The Ireland international became an icon for LA Galaxy after joining in 2011 from Tottenham Hotspur. Keane went on to become the club's second highest ever goal scorer with 104 goals, winning three MLS Cups in Hollywood.

8. Kaka - Orlando City

Kaka impressed in central Florida / Chris McEniry/Overflow Productions, Inc./GettyImages

Club Appearances: 402Goals: 126Assists: 93Orlando City signed Kaka in 2015 following his stints at AC Milan and Real Madrid. The Brazil international and former Ballon d'Or winner put Orlando City in the spotlight in their first season in MLS.

7. Andrea Pirlo - NYCFC

Pirlo's technical ability was on display in New York / Ira L. Black - Corbis/GettyImages

Appearances: 554Goals: 59Assists: 97Andrea Pirlo signed with NYCFC after an illustrious career in Italy with the likes of AC Milan and Juventus. The Italian may very well be the most technically gifted player to grace MLS alongside Lionel Messi.

6. Frank Lampard - NYCFC

The Englishman showed his quality / Michael Stewart/GettyImages

Appearances: 638Goals: 192Assists: 105Frank Lampard showed up in the Big Apple after almost 20 years of experience in the Premier League. He teamed up with David Villa and got fans off their seats at Yankee Stadium.Lampard enjoyed a solid 2016 season with NYCFC, scoring 12 goals and three assists.

5. Wayne Rooney - D.C. United

DC United v Toronto FC - First Round / Vaughn Ridley/GettyImages

Appearances: 569Goals: 237Assists: 119One of Manchester United's best ever players came across the pond to sign with D.C. United in 2018, scoring 12 goals and seven assists in his first season in the nation's capital. Following his retirement from playing football, Rooney became the head coach of D.C. United after a brief spell at Derby County.

4. Thierry Henry - New York Red Bulls

The Frenchman was a big get for NYRB / Mike Stobe/GettyImages

Appearances: 573Goals: 281Assists: 128After his decorated stints with Arsenal and Barcelona, Thierry Henry opted to go stateside with NYRB. The Frenchman put eyes on Red Bull Arena upon his arrival when they won the 2013 Supporter's Shield.

3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic - LA Galaxy

The Galaxy were box office with Ibrahimovic / Chris Gardner/GettyImages

Appearances: 605Goals: 392Assists: 136If it weren't for David Beckham and Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic would probably be the most influential MLS player ever. After playing for top European sides in PSG, Manchester United, Barcelona and both Milan clubs, Zlatan Ibrahimovic joined the most successful club in MLS and set the league on fire. The Lion has scored over 350 goals in his club career and didn't disappoint in Hollywood.

2. David Beckham - LA Galaxy

Beckham transformed MLS / Matthew Ashton - AMA/GettyImages

Appearances: 518Goals: 95Assists: 153David Beckham took some time off from European football and joined LA Galaxy in 2007, last playing for Real Madrid. His move to MLS sent shockwaves around the world as the league was still young and further inspired other big names to come to the league.

1. Lionel Messi - Inter Miami

Messi chose to join Miami / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Appearances: 789Goals: 659Assists: 284Although Lionel Messi hasn't played for Inter Miami yet, he is comfortably the best player on the list to join an MLS club. Messi's decision to join Miami was perhaps the biggest day in the league's history, as the greatest footballer ever chose MLS over Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal and a return to Barcelona.