Harry Kane’s potential interest in moving to Major League Soccer is the “fulfilment of a dream” for league commissioner Don Garber, who credited David Beckham and Lionel Messi with helping keep the competition relevant, fotmob.com reported.
Garber Welcomes Kane’s Stateside Ambition
The Bayern Munich striker recently stated he would be open to playing in the United States in the twilight of his career, with a secondary ambition of trying his hand as an NFL kicker also attracting him stateside. Garber, who has led MLS since 1999, stated that hearing a player of Kane’s caliber express interest validates the league’s long-term strategy. “I think, for me, it is the fulfilment of the dream that we had to build a proper soccer league that would drive a soccer nation. That sounds colloquial, but we actually have that written down. We wanted to create something that would have the Harry Kanes of the world saying, ‘I’d kind of like to play in MLS.'”
Contract Talks and Recent Form in Munich
The England captain is currently close to finalizing a contract extension with Bayern Munich that would tie him to the German giants until 2029. Kane has maintained prolific form, scoring 73 goals for club and country across the 2025-26 period and positioning himself as a leading candidate for the Ballon d’Or. On the international stage, he recently scored six goals in four appearances during the international break, matching Peter Shilton’s team record with 125 caps.
Beckham and Messi as Global Catalysts
Garber pointed to previous high-profile arrivals as the structural foundation that makes future targets like Kane possible. Discussing the distinct impacts of David Beckham and Lionel Messi, Garber noted that both figures proved essential at different stages of the league’s expansion. “David put this league on the path to credibility and respect,” Garber said, as reported by fotmob.com and goal.com. “Without David, there’s probably no Major League Soccer.” Meanwhile, Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami in 2023 elevated the competition onto a worldwide stage. Garber emphasized that Messi chose MLS over returning to Barcelona or accepting offers from Saudi Arabia, subsequently winning an eighth Ballon d’Or and leading Argentina to a second straight World Cup final while based in the United States. “Major League Soccer would not be the global phenomenon and not be on the hearts and minds of just about anybody in the world without Leo Messi,” Garber added.
