Major League Soccer Is fast debunking the myth that is a 'retirement league' rather, it is a prime place for European scouts and an avenue to earn a decent living – which is why South African footballers are fast making their way there, says Soccer Laduma's secret agent.
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Gone are the days where players like David Beckham and Thierry Henry have gone to the MLS for a final payday in luxurious conditions without the gaze of media that comes with playing in Europe.
Rather, it has become a league where top teams like Bayern Munich, Juventus, FC Barcelona, Newcastle FC and many others do their scouting, which has seen the likes of Alphonso Davies, Winston Mckenny, Almiron and Serginio Dest making their way to Europe and that list keeps growing.
Good news for South Africa is the fact that three promising talents in Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United), Njabulo Blom (St Louis City), and Katlego Ntshabeleng (FC Dallas) are in the league, while two more in Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union) and Cassius Mailula (Toronto FC) are set to make their way to the MLS.
Bradley Carnell (St Louis City) flying the flag high from a coaching perspective.
But is the MLS the right breeding ground for South African players Certainly, says our resident secret agent who has weighed in on the matter saying that the earning potential in the USA is far higher than what it would be in the PSL and there is an increased chance of being spotted in Europe.
"We can no longer call it a farmer's league. Soccer as they call it is one of the fastest growing sports in the USA and the money is following suit. Just look at players like Christian Pulisic, where did Borussia Dortmund sign him from? There are eight players in the MLS that have signed for big clubs like Roma and Borussia Monchengladbach this year alone – how many have signed from the PSL? The MLS is fast becoming a league where players want to be and with the likes of [Lionel] Messi there now, you can expect even more eyes to be on the league," he says.
Adding to the secret agent's argument is the salary figures which have been made public.
Blom, according to figures released, is earning a monthly guaranteed compensation of $28,188 (R543,000) made up of $248,000 (R4.73 million) in base salary and $338,250 (R6.51 million) in guaranteed compensation.
Similarly, Bongokuhle Hlongwane walks away with R11.8-million per annum (±R983 000 per-month), while Tsiki Ntsabeleng pockets R1.6m (±R983 000 per-month)
According to the secret agent, these figures are far above what players would be earning locally.
"Thankfully the league is transparent, and we see what players earn. Even with the salary caps they are making a decent living thanks to the exchange rate between the Rand and the US Dollar. Looking at these figures, players would have to play for Sundowns and Chiefs to earn those figures because there is no way Hlongwane would be earning a million rand a month at Maritzburg. I don't think Blom was earning anywhere close to that amount at Chiefs, so it makes financial sense for these players to go over there. Football, as much as it is about achievements and progressing, is about making money, which is what they will do there," he continued.
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