Don Garber Wants Harry Kane to Join MLS
· Yahoo Sports
Don Garber wants Harry Kane in MLS. The commissioner says the England captain's interest in playing in North America is proof the league is closing in on a longtime goal: becoming a destination for the biggest names in global soccer.
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Kane, 33, is still performing at a high level for Bayern Munich and England. He recently reached 125 caps for the Three Lions and scored his 91st international goal against the Czech Republic. Despite that form, he's floated the idea of playing in North America later in his career — and has even mentioned the NFL as a possibility.
Garber, in comments carried by ESPN, made clear he'd rather see Kane in MLS than on an NFL roster. For him, interest from a player of Kane's caliber validates the league's original ambition: competing for stars who've traditionally prioritized Europe.
Harry Kane represents MLS's ambition
A Kane signing would carry sporting and commercial weight. Beyond raising the league's technical level, his profile would boost international exposure for MLS clubs and help attract new fans.
Garber points to Lionel Messi as proof the model works. The Argentine's 2023 move to Inter Miami showed MLS could compete with clubs—and markets like Saudi Arabia—for top players while raising the league's global visibility. No confirmed talks exist between Kane and any MLS team, but Garber's comments signal the league is watching closely.
Beckham paved the way for Messi
MLS's rise has been gradual. Garber, who's run the league since 1999, credits David Beckham's 2007 move to LA Galaxy as a turning point. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder gave MLS new exposure and proved the US could attract major international talent.
That signing opened the door for others, including France's Thierry Henry at New York Red Bulls. Years later, Beckham became a co-owner of Inter Miami and helped build the project that brought Messi to Florida — a move Garber calls one of the biggest milestones in league history.
The next challenge is competing on the field
Commercial growth hasn't closed the gap with Europe and South America. MLS still needs to turn its financial muscle into consistent results against top clubs, a challenge Garber has faced throughout his tenure.
A Kane signing wouldn't fix that on its own, but his experience and scoring record could raise a team's level and strengthen the league's image. Nothing is official yet. Still, Garber's enthusiasm points to where MLS wants to go: beyond a retirement stop and toward a real option for players still at the top of their game.