Sports network ESPN has released its ranking of the top "designated players" in Major League Soccer history.
Robbie Keane takes the top spot after becoming a designated player for LA Galaxy in 2011. Second place goes to Sebastian Giovinco, who joined Toronto FC in 2015, while Carlos Vela, who signed with Los Angeles FC in 2018, holds third place.
Notably, Lionel Messi's transfer to Inter Miami ranks fourth. Thierry Henry's move to New York Red Bulls comes in sixth, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s earlier transfer to LA Galaxy is in ninth.
Here’s the complete ranking compiled by ESPN:
1. Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy
2. Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto FC
3. Carlos Vela, Los Angeles FC
4. Lionel Messi, Inter Miami
5. Diego Valeri, Portland Timbers
6. Thierry Henry, New York Red Bulls
7. Josef Martinez, Atlanta United
8. Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy
9. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, LA Galaxy
10. Clint Dempsey, Seattle Sounders
The designated player rule, also known as the Beckham Rule, allows MLS clubs to sign players whose salaries do not count against the established salary cap. This rule was introduced 18 years ago to enable LA Galaxy to sign David Beckham.
Earlier, Lionel Messi was named MLS Player of the Day for the fifth time this season.
