Top 33 South American Players in MLS History

Bolivian playmakers of the 90s, Argentine MVPs of the 2010s and modern Inter Miami headliners — South America has shaped MLS history more than any other region. Cast your vote!

1. 1
   Carlos Valderrama

   Colombian playmaker and 1996 inaugural MLS MVP with the Tampa Bay Mutiny.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Lionel Messi

   Argentine icon whose 2023 arrival at Inter Miami brought a Leagues Cup, the 2024 Supporters' Shield and the 2024 MLS MVP award.
   956pts
3. 3
   Luciano Emilio

   Brazilian striker who scored 20 goals in his first DC United season to win both the 2007 MLS MVP award and the Golden Boot.
   730pts
4. 4
   Guillermo Barros Schelotto

   Argentine winger and 2008 MLS MVP who led Columbus Crew to their first MLS Cup.
   729pts
5. 5
   Nelson Valdez

   Paraguayan striker whose Seattle Sounders spell included a 2014 Supporters' Shield.
   690pts
6. 6
   Alejandro Moreno

   Venezuelan striker who won MLS Cups with three different clubs, LA Galaxy in 2002, Houston Dynamo in 2006 and Columbus Crew in 2008.
   597pts
7. 7
   Thiago Almada

   Argentine winger and 2022 World Cup winner who shone for Atlanta United before moving on.
   542pts
8. 8
   Luis Suarez

   Uruguayan striker who joined Inter Miami in 2024 and immediately became an MLS scoring force.
   542pts
9. 9
   Maximiliano Moralez

   Diminutive Argentine playmaker who helped lead NYCFC to the 2021 MLS Cup.
   542pts
10. 10
    Diego Chará

    Colombian midfielder who spent more than a decade at Portland Timbers, anchoring the 2015 MLS Cup win and setting the club's appearance record.
    542pts
11. 11
    Raúl Ruidíaz

    Peruvian striker who scored prolifically for Seattle Sounders from 2018 and helped the club lift the 2019 MLS Cup.
    542pts
12. 12
    Sebastian Driussi

    Argentine forward and 2022 MLS Best XI selection with Austin FC.
    478pts
13. 13
    Mauricio Pereyra

    Uruguayan playmaker, Orlando City captain and MLS Best XI midfielder.
    478pts
14. 14
    Luciano Acosta

    Argentine playmaker and 2023 MLS MVP with FC Cincinnati.
    478pts
15. 15
    Gonzalo Higuaín

    Argentine striker who finished his career at Inter Miami, scoring 16 league goals in his final season in 2022 to take the club to the playoffs.
    478pts
16. 16
    Javier Morales

    Argentine playmaker who spent nine seasons at Real Salt Lake and was the creative heart of the club's 2009 MLS Cup triumph.
    478pts
17. 17
    Kaká

    Former Ballon d'Or winner who captained expansion side Orlando City from 2015 to 2017 and was named MVP of the 2015 MLS All-Star Game.
    404pts
18. 18
    Diego Valeri

    Argentine playmaker, the 2017 MLS MVP and Portland Timbers' all-time leading scorer.
    404pts
19. 19
    Jaime Moreno

    Bolivian striker, three-time MLS Cup winner and longtime DC United top scorer.
    404pts
20. 20
    Juan Pablo Angel

    Colombian striker who joined New York Red Bulls and was twice an MLS Best XI selection.
    319pts
21. 21
    Diego Rossi

    Uruguayan forward who won the 2020 MLS Golden Boot with LAFC, part of the attack that set the league points record in 2019.
    319pts
22. 22
    David Ferreira

    Colombian playmaker who won the 2010 MLS MVP award and led FC Dallas to that year's MLS Cup final during five seasons in Texas.
    319pts
23. 23
    Nicolás Lodeiro

    Uruguayan playmaker who led Seattle Sounders to MLS Cups in 2016 and 2019 and the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League title.
    319pts
24. 24
    Evander

    Brazilian playmaker who earned 2024 MLS Best XI honours with Portland Timbers and then moved to FC Cincinnati in 2025 as one of the league's leading creators.
    319pts
25. 25
    Christian Gómez

    Argentine playmaker who won the 2004 MLS Cup with DC United and was named league MVP in 2006 after a season of goals and assists.
    319pts
26. 26
    Josef Martinez

    Venezuelan striker whose 31-goal 2018 MVP campaign powered Atlanta United to MLS Cup glory.
    217pts
27. 27
    Fredy Montero

    Colombian forward who became Seattle Sounders' first star after the club joined MLS in 2009, scoring freely and winning three US Open Cups.
    217pts
28. 28
    Cristian Espinoza

    Argentine winger and San Jose Earthquakes assist leader of the 2020s.
    217pts
29. 29
    Lucas Zelarayán

    Argentine-born playmaker who scored twice in the 2020 MLS Cup final, earning the match MVP award as Columbus Crew won the title.
    217pts
30. 30
    Marco Etcheverry

    Bolivian playmaker who led DC United to three of the first four MLS Cups.
    0pts
31. 31
    Federico Higuain

    Argentine playmaker, Columbus Crew's leading scorer in their 2015 MLS Cup-final season.
    0pts
32. 32
    Miguel Almirón

    Paraguayan playmaker whose dribbling drove Atlanta United to the 2018 MLS Cup in the club's second season before a move to Newcastle.
    0pts
33. 33
    Cucho Hernández

    Colombian forward whose goals powered Columbus Crew to the 2023 MLS Cup, scoring in the final against LAFC.
    0pts

Comments