When it comes to defining the “most valuable MLS players of all time,” the debate is as thrilling and messy as a playoff match decided in stoppage time. Value can be measured by transfer fees, market valuation, brand impact, or legacy on the pitch. In this article, ZaneyStrike will journey through those metrics, highlight the top candidates, and help you decide: who truly ranks among the most valuable MLS players of all time?
What Defines “Most Valuable” In MLS?

Before diving into names, we must clarify what “value” means in the context of Major League Soccer:
- Transfer fees paid or received: How much a club paid to bring in or earned when selling a player.
- Market value (current or at peak): A metric-based approximation of a player’s worth, often.
- Legacy and influence: Brand pull, leadership, trophies, consistency—intangibles that drive a player’s worth beyond dollars.
- Commercial and marketing value: jersey sales, sponsorships, international appeal.
Because MLS is still younger and operates under different rules (salary caps, designated players, allocation money, etc.), traditional metrics alone don’t tell the full story. But combining them gives us a clearer picture.
Top Transfer Fees in MLS History
One of the most concrete ways to rank value is by the highest transfer fees paid by or received from MLS:
Rank | Player | From / To | Fee (USD / € equivalent) | Context |
1 | Jhon Durán | Chicago Fire → Aston Villa | ~ €29.50 million | The single highest outgoing MLS transfer to date. |
2 | Thiago Almada | Atlanta United → Botafogo | ~ €24.15 million | Broke earlier records. |
3 | Miguel Almirón | Atlanta United → Newcastle | ~ €24.00 million | One of MLS’s earliest big-money exits. |
4 | Heung-min Son | Tottenham → LAFC | ~ €22.00 million | A marquee incoming transfer. |
5 | Emmanuel Latte Lath | Middlesbrough → Atlanta United | ~ €21–22 million | Current MLS record for an incoming transfer. |
… | Ricardo Pepi, Kévin Denkey, Taty Castellanos, Alphonso Davies, etc. | … | ~ €15–17 million | Still significant in MLS context. |
These figures show both the growing financial muscle of MLS and the value certain players have commanded.
So, by transfer record alone, players like Durán, Son, Almada, and Latte Lath appear strong contenders.
Market Value Peaks: Who Reigns at the Top?
Market valuation offers a snapshot of perceived value at a moment in time. As of 2025:
- Rodrigo De Paul is listed among the top in MLS with a €20 million valuation. ransfermarkt])
- Riqui Puig also holds ~€20 million in market worth.
- Emmanuel Latte Lath has surged to ~€18 million.
- Lionel Messi maintains ~€18 million in MLS.
- Other names like Evander, Kévin Denkey, and Hirving Lozano also appear in the top-valued player lists.
But we must note: some players (like Messi) didn’t join MLS, so their “value” is less about purchase price and more about brand / performance.
Therefore, combining transfer-record value and market valuation gives us a shortlist of truly “most valuable” players.
The All-Time Value Masters

Here’s a curated list considering all metrics—transfer fees, market value, legacy:
1. Jhon Durán
With a ~€29.50 million move, Durán currently holds the top spot in outgoing MLS transfers. That kind of valuation, especially for a player leaving MLS, cements his position.
2. Th iago Almada
His €24.15 million move reflects MLS’s ability to produce elite talent. Almada’s performances at Atlanta had already elevated his market value before the transfer.
3. Miguel Almirón
One of the earlier stars to exit MLS for ~€24 million, Almirón’s trailblazer status and career trajectory upgrade his place in this ranking.
4. Heung-min Son
Although incoming, Son’s ~€22 million move to LAFC demonstrates the financial pull of elite global stars. His signing is a statement about league ambition.
5. Emmanuel Latte Lath
Currently the highest-paid incoming transfer in MLS (at ~€21–22 million), and combined with his market value surge, he’s a top-tier “most valuable” figure.
6. Lionel Messi
Though he didn’t require a big transfer fee to join MLS, his brand impact, global drawing power, and consistent market valuation (~€18 million) place him among the most valuable in league history.
7. Riqui Puig
As one of MLS’s top-valued players, Puig’s €20 million market value shows his relevance in the league’s value ecosystem, even if his legacy is still unfolding.
Why Some Big Names Don’t Appear
You may wonder why legends like David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Roy Lassiter or Robbie Keane don’t dominate this list. Their on-field influence was monumental, but in MLS’s earlier years:
- Transfer fees were modest compared to today’s inflation.
- Market valuation systems were rudimentary or nonexistent at the time.
- Commercial metrics (jerseys, branding) didn’t yet explode as they do now.
So while they’re legends in influence and legacy, in a strict “value” ranking they don’t compete financially at the top right now.
Ranking by Tier: Most Valuable Legends vs Modern Records

To help you digest the landscape, here’s a tiered view:
Tier | Players / Example | Why They Belong |
Record outgoing movers | Jhon Durán, Almada, Almirón | They commanded absolute record sales. |
Record incoming masters | Latte Lath, Son | Biggest receipts for MLS clubs in player purchases. |
Market value juggernauts | Messi, De Paul, Puig | High valuations and brand impact despite transfer origins. |
Legacy influencers | Beckham, Donovan, Keane | Immense influence on league’s growth, even if not high-value in transaction terms. |
This mix ensures that the most valuable MLS players of all time list remains relevant both in numbers and narrative.
Risks And Caveats In Ranking Value
- Fluctuating valuations: Market values rise and fall, sometimes divorce.
- MLS rules and contracts: Designated players, allocation money, and trade mechanisms make comparisons less straightforward.
- True “value” beyond money: Impact in marketing, growth, fan engagement can be huge—even if not captured in transfers.
Thus, rankings are always provisional. What matters most is how a player shapes the league’s trajectory.
Conclusion
The most valuable MLS players of all time aren’t merely the biggest earners—they are the names that bridged finances, performance, and legacy. Jhon Durán, Thiago Almada, Almirón, Latte Lath, Son, Messi, and Puig all compete for that crown.
ZaneyStrike hopes this guide sharpens your perspective on what “value” really means in MLS. Stay tuned as new transfers, new stars, and new valuations always threaten to reshape this hierarchy—and feel free to revisit this list when the next splash signing hits.