Former LA Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who played in MLS, recently told ESPN that the league’s overall development has not reached its full potential due to the excessive number of rules in MLS.
Ibrahimovic is undoubtedly one of the biggest names to have graced MLS, playing two seasons for Galaxy from 2018 to 2019, before returning to Europe to end his career with AC Milan. Since Ibrahimovic’s departure from MLS, the league has expanded from 24 teams to 29, with San Diego FC set to debut as the 30th team in 2025. Last year, it also welcomed record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi to Inter Miami CF, the biggest signing in MLS history.
However, Ibrahimovic, now a senior advisor at Milan, told ESPN’s “First Take” that the level of competition in MLS has room for improvement compared to top European leagues.
“MLS is going in the right direction, but I think it’s going slow because I remember when I was here – and it’s still the same – they put too many rules, which limits them to grow faster. MLS is a slow process in its growth, in reality. But when it comes to the quality of the game, the talent of players, it’s getting better and better. And, of course, the World Cup is coming to the United States in 2026. That’s going to be big for the country and especially for MLS.”
Ibrahimovic also said MLS needs to continue to develop young talent while also bringing in established players. “I think when big names come to play in America, show their quality, American people start to understand the level of European football. But, of course, the level in Europe is much higher. But, MLS is growing. At the same time, you need to build from the bottom up in MLS, not just rely on big names because they’re here now but young talent is the future,” said Ibrahimovic.
Unlike top European leagues, MLS clubs have salary caps with only three Designated Players whose salaries can exceed the club’s budget and three players aged 22 or younger who can be separately accounted for at a lower budget cost. Since Messi’s arrival, there is increasing pressure on MLS to relax the rules so that it can take advantage of the Argentinian superstar’s arrival and the upcoming 2026 World Cup to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico and continue developing the league.
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