Top 10 Best MLS Players – 2026 (Ranked)

Major League Soccer (MLS) is one of the fastest-growing leagues in the world presently. And at the centre of all this is the rapidly expanding league, and securing big names that have changed the face of American soccer. With billions of dollars of investment being poured into league development, the league has some of the best MLS players in the top-flight brought in from around the world.

A few years ago, Major League Soccer was merely a retirement house rather than a serious place for career growth; however, things have been changing with players like Lionel Messi, Hirving Lozano, Son Heung-min, Marco Reus, and more arriving in the stateside, uplifting the brand value and overall quality of this league. Subsequently, the 2025 edition was arguably the biggest in terms of popularity and intensity.

These best players in MLS have surely elevated the quality of the league and its popularity, and in this article, we will explore who the best soccer players were in MLS are from last season based on their performances.

List of Best Soccer Players in MLS

Players included in the list below of best players in the MLS have paved the path to the team's success. The list is purely curated by considering the following ranking factors that included statics, performance and impact in the Major League Soccer campaign.

How did we Rank the Best MLS Players in 2026?

We have ranked the best MLS players in 2026 after thoroughly considering several ranking factors that we have described in this section of the article.

• Performance Stats: To make sure that we only include the best players in MLS, we took performance stats as our primary factor. This includes stats like goals, assists, passes completed, and defensive actions. We have tried to make sure that every position is analysed based on its respective stats.
• Consistency: Consistency is another crucial factor to make it into the listing of the best soccer players in MLS. We have analysed the average rating of each player and how consistently they have done their job on the pitch before ranking them in the list.

• Impact in Key Matches: Last but not least, the Impact in important matches as a factor worked as a tie breaker for us. For example, if the stats of 2 players were almost the same, we ranked the player higher who played a crucial role in important moments.

  Note: All stats are taken from reliable sources like Sportsdunia, Transfermrkt and Opta analyst.

Who is the Best MLS Player Currently?

Now that we know our list of the best players in the MLS and ranking factors, let's discuss these players in details putting the spotlight on players’ 2025 performance in Major League Soccer. Without further delay, let’s hop onto the detailed list of the best MLS players and find out who is the best MLS player.

10. Sam Surridge – Nashville FC

Nashville FC were one of the best-performing sides in the Eastern Conference, finishing 6th on the points table to clinch a play-off spot in 2025. The English centre forward Sam Surridge was one of the key reasons for Nashville's success, scoring 24 goals in 34 appearances, displaying his hunger for goals. Last year, the 27-year-old was the best MLS player for Boys in Gold.

The Englishman, who is known for his clever movements and clinical finishing, had arrived in the state of Tennessee in 2023 from Nottingham Forest. Surridge has vast experience of playing in the top divisions of English football, including the EFL Championship and the Premier League. Sam's first touch and flicks highlight his control and mastery over the ball gives an edge over defenders.

9. Sebastian Berhalter - Vancouver Whitecaps

The USA international Sebastian Berhalter enjoyed his breakout season in the 2025 Major League Soccer for the Vancouver Whitecaps. Born in the English capital, London, Sebastian is the son of former USA international Gregg Berhalter, who is currently working as Chicago Fire's head coach. A move to Vancouver from Austin revived his fortune and career, from nearly quitting the sport to getting into the MLS Team of the Year.
The 24-year-old was the soul of the Whitecaps midfield and emerged as one of the best MLS players. His vision, passing, and work rate made him a driving force in the midfield. He played 29 times while providing 10 assists and scoring 4 times in total. After leading his club to 4 finals, Berhalter found his way back into the USMNT and scored his first goal for the country against Uruguay

8. Cristian Roldán - Seattle Sounders

The Seattle Sounders and Cristian Roldan's partnership has turned a decade old. The central midfielder had joined the club in 2015 and has been a vital player ever since. However, the 2025 season proved to be his best one; Roldan clocked 2,633 minutes of game time in the MLS regular season. A brilliant MLS campaign helped the midfielder to mark his return to the USMNT under Mauricio Pochettino.

In the Western Conference, the Sounders finished the regular season in 5th, directly qualifying for the MLS Playoffs after claiming 55 points. The 29-year-old played a key role in taking his club to the knockouts and winning the 2025 Leagues Cup, beating Inter Miami in the final. As a result, the 43 times USA-capped midfielder was selected in the MLS best XI through consistent performance.

7. Evander – FC Cincinnati

A modern-day MLS icon, Brazilian attacking midfielder Evander played a big role in the power shift in the Portland Timbers before moving to FC Cincinnati last season. Deservedly to say, his debut season in Ohio with Cincinnati solidifies his place amongst the Best MLS players currently. After amassing 32 goal contributions in as many MLS appearances for the Orange & Blue.

Evander's accolades are super impressive, representing the MLS Best XI twice and MLS All-Star twice, and MLS MVP Player of the Month awards on several occasions. With 61 games to his name for the Portland Timbers, he has scored 26 times and assisted 22 times, showcasing his playmaking skill alongside his goal scoring prowese. The Playmaker is one of the third players to have successive 15 (G/A) seasons.

6. Denis Bouanga – Los Angeles FC

The Gabonese international Denis Bouanga has established himself as one of the best MLS players in recent seasons with his consistency on the flanks. Prior to his move to LA, Le Mans-born Bouanga had spent his entire club career playing in France, playing for AS Saint-Étienns, Strasbourg, FC Lorient, etc. Equipped with blistering pace, acceleration, skills and sharp shooting – makes him a lethal winger.

The 31-year-old likes to cut in on his right foot, uses the width of the pitch and is excellent in ball control and dribbling. After LAFC icon Carlos Vela bid farwell taking retirement from professional football, Denis stepped up to take the ace role and steadily became an influential figure in the dressing room. LAFC all time top goal scorer, Bouanga scored 24 goals and provided 7 assists after 31 outings in MLS last season.

5. Yohei Takaoka – Vancouver Whitecaps

The next name is also from the 2025 MLS runners-up, Vancouver Whitecaps. The Japanese shot stopper Yohei Takaoka secures a place here amongst the best MLS players. In 2023, He had joined the Canadian outfit Whitecaps from Yokohama F Marinos and succeeded in between the sticks, recording 13 clean sheets in 34 outings – the most clean sheets in the entire league.

Showing his class, Takaoka earned a contract extension that will keep him with the Whitecaps until June 2027 following an outstanding season in goal. He allowed only 38 goals in total and is known for his sweeper-keeper role, as he tends to leave his goal line to intercept, unlike traditional goalkeepers. The 29-year-old has been a pivotal pillar for his club and is expected to remain one next season as well.

4. Anders Dreyer – San Diego

Next up, we have a Danish winger named Andres Dreyer, who had signed for San Diego last summer from Belgian giants RSC Anderlecht. He proven to be a successful signing, just 27 in age and of immense quality as a forward, honing his skills after playing across Europe. The right winger has played exceptionally well for his American employer in the MLS debut season.

The Denmark international is excellent on the ball, bringing in control and composure with his High IQ playmaking. Additionally, Dreyer's has an eye for goals as well, resulting in the highest goal contributions (38 goals) by a player in his MLS debut season. The 27-year-old winger has been one of the best MLS players in 2025, leading his side to top the Western Conference via a record 63 points tally.

3. Son Heung-min - Los Angeles FC

The South Korean icon Son Heung-min occupies the third spot on the list of best MLS players. He is regarded as one of the best South Korean players in history. Son had arrived in Los Angeles last summer in August, after the Black and Gold spent a record $26.5 million to secure the services of an ex-Premier League star to bolster their attacking firepower.

Despite arriving late, the 33-year-old was full of class, flair and sharp finishing on the pitch for one of the most valuable MLS sides. Heung-min bagged 16 goal contributions after making 14 appearances in the MLS regular season and playoffs combined. With a great pre-season, LAFC will have a dominant duo in attack of Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-Min in the 2026 season.

2. Thomas Müller – Vancouver Whitecaps

Inter Miami and Lionel Messi had captured all the limelight in Major League Soccer before the German icon Thomas Müller landed in MLS during the summer to revive an epic rivalry between these two greats of the game. Just like Son Hueng Min, Muller joined the Whitecaps midseason and immediately turned a good side into a title winning contendors.

Regarded as one of the finest German players of all time, the attacking midfielder led Vancouver based outfit to the MLS finals. He brought unparalleled experience, leadership and instilled a winning mentality in the team. The ex-Bayern Munich star always put his heart and soul into playing for the badge with passion; it has remained the same in MLS.

1. Lionel Messi – Inter Miami

There is nothing new one can say about Lionel Messi that has not been said. After a short spell with Paris in 2023, Messi moved to Miami to play for David Beckham‘s co-owned club, Inter Miami, which will go down in history. It did not take long to show America why he is hailed as one of the greatest of all time, and he has increased the ceiling of the club tenfold. The 38-year-old tops the list of best MLS players.

He helped Inter Miami win their first-ever trophy, the League Cup, in his first season, and the Supporters Shield and won the Landon Donovan MVP Award. Last season, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was class above, recording a stellar tally of 29 goals and 19 assists. He steered the Herons to lift their first-ever MLS Cup after defeating the Vancouver Whites in the final. Messi is shattering records for fun and is sure to break more in the coming seasons.