From the day MLS kicked off in 1996, the Latin player has always been a key element in attracting fans and building successful franchises in MLS. Here are 30 of the best Latin American players to play in the league.
Major League Soccer would not be where it is today without its Latin imports. Sure, superstars like David Beckham, Thierry Henry, or Zlatan Ibrahimović gave the league much-needed notoriety, but one can argue that in addition to the American players, it’s the Latin American players who are the backbone of MLS.
From El Salvador to Uruguay and Argentina to Cuba, MLS has provided a platform for many players from CONCACAF and CONMEBOL nations to ply their trades in the league, with many cementing a lasting legacy and/or moving abroad to Europe.
Continuing our MLS at 30 series, we take a look at the 30 most influential Latin American players in league history. These players didn’t just elevate the league; they were instrumental in filling stadiums during the early years of the league as well.
Before we get into the full list, let’s start with some honorable mentions just outside of the top 30: Javier Morales, David Ferreira, Diego Rossi, Aníbal Godoy, and Taty Castellanos.
30. Luis Suárez (Uruguay)
The Uruguayan striker joined MLS in 2024 and immediately showcased his quality with Inter Miami, adding world-class finishing to a team already featuring Lionel Messi. Suárez arrived near the end of his career, but his finishing technique is second to none in MLS.
29. Jorge Campos (Mexico)
The colorful and flamboyant goalkeeper gave the LA Galaxy and the early years of MLS someone you simply had to see. From dribbling past players to even playing as a striker, Campos knew he was worth the price of admission. Few Mexican players delivered like Campos.
28. Giovanni Savarese (Venezuela)
Giovanni Savarese became a household name with a MetroStars team that included Roberto Donadoni, Tony Meola, and Tab Ramos. The club’s first true MLS icon, the Venezuelan international scored 41 goals in his tenure.
27. Roger Espinoza (Honduras)
Known for his durability, Roger Espinoza was a tough, hard-nosed midfielder for Sporting Kansas City, and part of three U.S. Open Cup victories. He later moved to England and won the FA Cup with Wigan Athletic.
26. Osvaldo Alonso (Cuba)
Another durable and hard-working defensive midfielder, Osvaldo Alonso saw over 300 appearances in MLS, mostly with the Seattle Sounders but also with Atlanta United and Minnesota United. In a league where attackers often get all the glory, Alonso was a key figure, and was beloved enough by the Sounders to sign a one-day contract with the club in 2024 so he could retire in green.
25. Ignacio Piatti (Argentina)
Ignacio Piatti was well worth his $5 million salary with the Montreal Impact, scoring 66 goals in 135 games. Had Piatti played on a more high-profile team, he would likely be considered amongst the pantheon of MLS players.
24. Raul Díaz Arce (El Salvador)
Raul Díaz Arce became an early club idol at DC United and was part of four titles from 1996 to 1997. Despite a rift with Marco Etcheverry, Arce’s impact on the Salvadoran fanbase led to moves between clubs like the San Jose Clash, Tampa Bay Mutiny, Colorado Rapids, and a return to DC United.
23. Eduardo Hurtado (Ecuador)
Built like a tank, Eduardo Hurtado was one of the most feared goal-scorers in the early days of MLS. Hurtado played for the Galaxy, MetroStars, and New England Revolution before moving on to play in Argentina, Scotland, and elsewhere. His 1996 season was a great introduction for the new league.
22. Blas Pérez (Panamá)
Blas Pérez had a vagabond career, but found a home with FC Dallas, scoring 37 goals in 103 games. His goal-scoring touch was essential for those Dallas teams, and today, the former Panama international plays with the Dallas Sidekicks of the Major Arena Soccer League.
21. Felipe Martins (Brazil)
One of the few Brazilian players to succeed in MLS, Felipe Martins may not have been flashy, but he was a hard worker and one of the best midfielders week in and week out for six MLS teams.
20. Thiago Almada (Argentina)
Although it may be difficult to place Thiago Almada on this list given other major contributors with longer stints in MLS, he is the only active MLS player to have won a World Cup. Almada was one of the most expensive incoming transfers in MLS history and is now in Europe after winning the Copa Libertadores with Botafogo in Brazil.
19. Alberth Elis (Honduras)
Alberth Elis was an exciting forward for the Houston Dynamo, scoring 24 goals in 62 games. His colorful goal celebrations and explosive play on the field make him one of the best Latin imports in MLS history.
18. Lucho Acosta (Argentina)
The small yet effective playmaker had two excellent stints in MLS, first with DC United, and then an MVP-caliber return with FC Cincinnati after a brief stop in Liga MX. While with DC, Acosta was nearly transferred to PSG, but it was with Cincinnati that he helped elevate the club and solidify his place among the best Latin imports in MLS history. He’ll look to continue that success with his new club, FC Dallas, in 2025.
17. Mauricio Cienfuegos (El Salvador)
In the early days of MLS, the Galaxy’s midfield was commanded by Mauricio Cienfuegos, a talented playmaker who only got better as the years went by. A Galaxy lifer, Cienfuegos now works in the Galaxy’s youth academy and deserves a statue alongside Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Cobi Jones.
16. Kaká (Brazil)
The Brazilian superstar joined MLS to help launch Orlando City in 2014. While the club struggled in its early years, Kaká’s professionalism and talent on the field made him a shining light.
15. Amado Guevara (Honduras)
While players like Tab Ramos, Claudio Reyna, Roberto Donadoni, and others never truly elevated the MetroStars to new heights, Amado Guevara was productive in making the team something other than mediocre. Guevara later played for Chivas USA and Toronto FC, but his best work was with the MetroStars, helping elevate the profile of Honduran players in MLS.
14. Juan Pablo Ángel (Colombia)
The Colombian striker was sensational during his time with the Red Bulls, Galaxy, and Chivas USA, scoring 72 goals in 152 games. Ángel helped lead the Red Bulls to their first-ever MLS Cup final.
13. Raúl Ruidíaz (Perú)
In an era of high-profile designated players, the Sounders went low-profile with Raúl Ruidíaz, and the Peruvian striker delivered. With 86 goals in 176 games for the Sounders, Ruidíaz also won two championships with the team and is a club legend.
12. Carlos Ruiz (Guatemala)
Carlos Ruiz was a menace in the early years of MLS and delivered the LA Galaxy their first-ever MLS crown. While he played for several teams in the league, it was his time with the Galaxy that cemented his legacy in MLS history.
11. Josef Martínez (Venezuela)
A prolific goal-scorer, Josef Martínez will be most remembered as the red-hot striker for the early days of Atlanta United. Though he’s struggled to recapture that form with other teams, Martínez has a proven track record of scoring goals in MLS when inspired.
10. Nicolás Lodeiro (Uruguay)
One of the best imports in MLS history, Nicolás Lodeiro won three major titles with the Seattle Sounders and remains one of the most effective playmakers in the league. After eight years in Seattle, Lodeiro went to Orlando City in 2024, and with rumors surrounding a move to Paraguayan side Libertad, we might’ve seen the last of him in MLS — but his legacy is set in stone.
9. Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Mexico)
Cuauhtémoc Blanco became the first true Mexican MLS superstar to live up to the billing with the Chicago Fire. Blanco helped prove to skeptical Mexican fans that MLS was a serious league, setting a standard for future Mexican players.
8. Carlos Vela (Mexico)
Carlos Vela surpassed even Blanco’s standards to become the greatest Mexican player to ever play in MLS. With 93 goals in 187 games, Vela set the benchmark for what LAFC expected from their star players.
7. Miguel Almirón (Paraguay)
Miguel Almirón proved that MLS could be a springboard to Europe. After dominating in Argentina with Lanús, Almirón helped launch Atlanta United’s success, with his explosive play earning him a transfer to Newcastle United in the Premier League for €24 million, a record that stood until Jhon Duran’s move to Aston Villa in 2023. After a successful stint in Europe, Almirón returned to Atlanta United in 2025.
6. Jaime Moreno (Bolivia)
One of the best players in the history of the league, Jaime Moreno was a key part of the DC United dynasty of the late ’90s. Playing from 1996-2010, all with DCU except a one-season move to the MetroStars, he scored 133 goals in 340 matches and won 12 titles with United, cementing his status as a league legend.
5. Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Argentina)
Until Schelotto’s arrival, MLS had struggled to integrate Argentine players. At one point there weren’t any in MLS. Schelotto helped open the door for his countrymen, who saw the league as a last resort, setting the stage for future stars. He also helped make the Columbus Crew one of the best teams in the league during his tenure.
4. Diego Valeri (Argentina)
Schelotto paved the way for younger and better Argentine players, with Diego Valeri standing out as the prime example. Valeri not only played well on the field but ingrained himself in the Portland community, setting a standard for star players in MLS.
3. Carlos Valderrama (Colombia)
El Pibe would be No. 1 on this list if he had won an MLS Cup. His famous hair and silky skills were iconic in the early days of MLS. As one of the league’s all-time assist leaders, Valderrama remains an ambassador for MLS and gave the new league some much needed star power.
2. Marco Etcheverry (Bolivia)
No Latin American player since Marco Etcheverry has won or done what he did for an MLS club. Etcheverry won three MLS Cups with DC United, led the team to two international titles, and was a highlight-reel player week in and week out. Few can boast the accomplishments of “El Diablo.”
1. Lionel Messi (Argentina)
There will be a clear before and after Lionel Messi in MLS, no question. His numbers don’t lie — 34 goals in 39 games for Inter Miami, with an astonishing output. Messi’s contract is the most impressive ever signed by an athlete with a team, and he has redefined MLS. If he can win an MLS Cup, it would be the icing on the cake for what he has done for the league in such a short time, especially on the cusp of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
