Cristiano Ronaldo is the latest international soccer star rumored to join the MLS. Ronaldo praised the MLS in a recent interview with GQ, hinting he is open to a move to North America.
"I know that many players move there. I think it's becoming better and better. It's growing. I think it's good. It's good for me and young players that maybe one day we want to move there. So it's good that football - soccer -grows there." Ronaldo said.
In April 2015, Sports Illustrated reported Ronaldo was interested in joining the MLS, his preferred team being in L.A., either with the Galaxy or the expansion LAFC. However, a transfer is unlikely to take place before Ronaldo's current contract with Real Madrid expires in 2018, due mostly to the astronomical transfer fee the MLS side would have to pay to secure Ronaldo, according to Bleacher Report.
Admittedly Ronaldo isn't the biggest fan of the North American League, but he doesn't deny that it is a possibility.
"I don't follow the league a hundred percent, but I follow parts," Ronaldo said to GQ.
"No, I mean, what's happening there is great, it's fantastic - maybe in the future will be a good chance for me to play there. You never know, but it's something interesting. I consider it, of course, because as I've said, soccer there has become better and better, so why not? I think that this is maybe going to be possible." Ronaldo said.
Ronaldo will turn 33 in 2018, and barring injury, there is no reason he won't still be an elite footballer. With many teams vying for Ronaldo, an MLS team will have to pay top dollar to draw the Portuguese international, who two months ago downplayed the possibility of a move stateside, according to ESPN FC.
"In my mind I want to finish in the top level, I want to finish with dignity so in a good club," he said. "It doesn't mean that to go USA or Qatar or Dubai is not good but I don't see myself [going there]." Ronaldo said.
