I thought a lesser league would offer players substantially more to come there, in order to get attention? Doesn’t MLS pay players more, since it’s a less prestigious league? Has any European league star gone to Saudi League?
The latest is that the offer is about $200 million per year, but that includes sponsorships. THAT may be too much to turn down, since he gets about $115m currently and is past his prime. MLS can't come close to that level. David Beckham was making about $50 million per year when he came to MLS. If Ronaldo and Messi came to MLS in 2023 many teams would have to move their games to local NFL stadiums to fit the demand. Other star players have gone to the Middle East to end their careers, but Ronaldo (and Messi) are on a whole different level of sporting fame internationally.