Scorching MLS Gamers: Lionel Messi, Son Heung-min and Extra Soccer Studs

Main League Soccer is formally again, and the league’s hottest gamers are prepared to attain.

As soccer followers head to stadiums throughout the nation on Saturday, February 21, to rejoice opening day of the 2026 MLS season, a number of athletes are certain to seize the eye of attendees with their skills.

“When you’re a mean sports activities fan trying to dip into MLS, watching Lionel Messi, Son Heung-min and Thomas Müller offers you three fully various kinds of star energy in a single league,” MLS Season Go lead soccer analyst Taylor Twellman completely shared with Us Weekly. “Collectively they signify world pedigree, championship expertise and game-changing high quality, they usually make MLS must-watch.”

Whereas their resumes and stats converse for themselves, these athletes additionally deserve recognition for his or her bodily toughness as they attempt to assist their group pull out a win throughout each match-up.

“Soccer gamers are among the most bodily full athletes in sports activities as a result of they mix elite endurance, pace, energy and psychological toughness multi function steady efficiency,” Twellman, who performed professionally from 1999 to 2010, defined to Us. “Over a 90-minute match, gamers routinely cowl seven to 9 miles, mixing long-distance working with repeated explosive sprints, sharp modifications of route, jumps, tackles, and bodily collisions — all with out the frequent stoppages you see in sports activities like soccer or basketball.”

Impressed but?

As a brand new season kicks off, Us is highlighting among the largest names within the sport. Maintain studying to satisfy simply among the many proficient — and scorching — gamers breaking a sweat and successful massive:

Lionel Messi: Inter Miami CF

“Messi is pure genius,” soccer analyst Taylor Twellman advised Us Weekly when praising the Argentine skilled footballer. “He’s the sort of participant who can management a complete match with one contact or unlock a protection with a cross nobody else sees.”

Son Heung-min: Los Angeles Soccer Membership

“Son brings electrical tempo and big-moment ending,” Taylor Twellman shared with Us about one among Los Angeles’ largest athletes. “He’s the kind of ahead who can rating from wherever and switch a counterattack right into a spotlight in seconds.”

Gabriel Pec: Los Angeles Galaxy

Fortunately married to Isabella Lipatin since 2024, Gabriel Pec can doubtless be discovered rooting for the Los Angeles Rams or Los Angeles Lakers when he’s not on the soccer subject.

Rodrigo De Paul: Inter Miami CF

Nicknamed “El Motorcito” or “The Little Engine,” Rodrigo De Paul works hand-in-hand with Lionel Messi to make sure Inter Miami CF comes out on prime. He additionally at present has 13.9 million Instagram followers.

Sam Surridge: Nashville SC

Nashville soccer followers like to name Sam Surridge “Tremendous Sam” for his capability to attain underneath strain. At this chapter in his profession, Surridge has little interest in leaving.

“I’m undoubtedly pleased in the mean time in Nashville,” he advised MLS in July 2025. “I’m settled, and it’s going to take quite a bit for me to vary that, as a result of that is what I’ve wished in my profession. I’ve wished that religion from a membership, and so it’ll take quite a bit for me to present that up.”

Tristan Blackmon: Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Described as a flexible defender able to being deployed as a centre again, fullback or wingback, Tristan Blackmon was beforehand acquired by Whitecaps FC in a commerce with Charlotte FC.

Jeppe Schmidt Tverskov: San Diego FC

After his spouse, Debbie Schmidt Tverskovwelcomed a child in December 2025, Jeppe Schmidt Tverskov is prepared for sport time. And sure, he’s right here to show Los Angeles isn’t the one Southern California metropolis that may have a successful soccer group.

Philip Zinckernagel: Chicago Fireplace

Married to Anna Leite Zinckernagel since August 2025, Philip Zinckernagel is in love and able to lead his group to victory as an attacking midfielder.

Petar Musa: FC Dallas

Earlier than it’s time to go well with up in his FC Dallas jersey, Petar Musa can doubtless be photographed with a greatest dressed-worthy look. After taking a look at his Instagramyou’ll see one of many hottest strikers in MLS clearly has an eye fixed for fashion.

Thomas Müller: Vancouver Whitecaps FC

“Müller is the last word soccer mind,” Taylor Twellman shared with Us Weekly concerning the German soccer stud. “He’s consistently discovering house, making intelligent runs and producing within the largest moments without having flashy strikes.”