Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two of soccer's biggest stars. Currently dominating the European leagues, Ronaldo has been with Real Madrid for years while Messi has spent his career with Barcelona. While the European leagues like La Liga and the Premier League routinely host the best players in the world, MLS is beginning to gain steam. Former EPL stars Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard believe both Messi and Ronaldo could head to the United States as a result.
Lampard told CNN Sport that Messi and Ronaldo will come to the MLS eventually. Having made the jump himself from Chelsea to New York City FC, Lampard believes the MLS is gaining enough popularity to target some of the best athletes in the world.
"I think Messi and Ronaldo moving to MLS is a real possibility," Lampard said. "I think they'll want to, and I think they'll be embraced if they came here. Cristiano, particularly, I could see playing in America. I think the lifestyle would suit him. He's a showman and a great player."
Ronaldo did tell GQ magazine via the Daily Mail that he would not dismiss the idea of playing for the MLS saying, "Soccer there has become better and better, so why not?" However, he is making it clear that right now he is committed to Real Madrid. Rumors have been flying that both Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain would love to sign Ronaldo in a deal that would break the bank, but he admits that Real Madrid is the best place for him right now.
"Real Madrid is a club with a lot of pressure from both inside and outside, but I have been here for many years and I am used to it," Ronaldo said, via Mahou. "The grandeur of the club means that people look at us differently to others. However, on a personal level things are positive, I am very happy and I want to be at this club. I feel the support of the fans. When the people sing my name, I'm proud."
As for Messi, the Barcelona star is set to get an extension from the club sooner rather than later. He is currently leading Barcelona as one of the best teams in the world right now thanks to his partnership with Luis Suarez and Neymar. While several Premier League teams have tried to lure Messi away from Barcelona, team president Josep Maria Bartomeu believes the striker will stay put for many years.
"We know Messi could earn more money in other teams, or Neymar, Busquets, Gerard Pique or Luis Suarez," Bartomeu said, via ESPNFC.com. "Neymar, for example, when he came to Barcelona, had better offers from other teams. Suarez also had better offers, but they decided to come to Barcelona because I think this club attracts players, because we are more than a club."