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Major League Soccer is still seen as a league where players leave to end their careers. Transfers like Marco Reus and the confirmation that Antoine Griezmann (35) is going to Orlando City help reinforce that image.
But if you look at what the league actually looks like today, the reality is different.
The average age is on par with Europe
The average age in MLS is around 25–26 years , and in recent seasons has been closer to 25. This is on par with several of the biggest leagues in Europe, including La Liga and Serie A.
In other words: MLS is not a league that stands out in terms of age. It is much more similar to the top European divisions than many might think.
The stars that shaped the picture
At the same time, it is easy to understand why the rumor arose.
When players like David Beckham, Andrea Pirlo, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Lionel Messi signed for MLS, they made global headlines. These weren't just transfers, they were moments that put the league on the map .
When such signings happen over time, it is natural that they also shape perceptions. But they have never been the whole picture.
A league that actually gives young players responsibility
If you look beyond the headlines, the development is quite clear.
Over 150 players aged 22 or younger were involved in MLS in the 2024 season, a trend that has continued into recent seasons. Many of them are regular players, not just substitutes.
It's also a league that dares to give young players a chance early. Cavan Sullivan made his debut at 14, an extreme example, but also a sign of where the list is headed.
This does not align well with the perception of MLS as a league characterized by older players.
Not just a destination, but a stepping stone
The picture becomes even clearer when you look at who is leaving the league.
In recent years, MLS has developed players who have gone on to some of Europe's biggest leagues:
• Alphonso Davies → Bayern Munich
• Brenden Aaronson → Red Bull Salzburg → Premier League
• Ricardo Pepi → Bundesliga
• Gabriel Slonina → Chelsea
These are not players on the decline, these are players on the rise.
This development also means that MLS is being followed more by European clubs. Players are getting exposure to a more physical and open game, making the transition to Europe more natural than many might think.
MLS has effectively become a league where players are developed, exposed and sold on.
Another type of transition
At the same time, there is also a clear change in which players are actually choosing MLS. Players like Riqui Puig , a major talent from Barcelona, illustrate this development.
Thiago Almada is also a good example. He came to MLS at the age of 21, as one of the biggest talents in Argentina. At Atlanta United, he was given a central role and developed further, before later taking the step further into top international football.
It's a type of transition that says a lot about what MLS is becoming: an active career step, not just an ending.
The myth that is no longer true
The image of MLS as a retirement league is easy to understand, but it no longer holds true.
Because even though profiles are still coming in, it's the whole that counts. And that whole is increasingly made up of young players who gain confidence, develop and take the next step.
When the average age is on par with Europe, and the trend points towards even younger player groups, it becomes difficult to claim that this is a "retirement league".
Perhaps the most accurate picture of MLS today is this:
Not a league where careers end – but a league where they are built.
