MLS: Lucas Vazquez motives illustrate European warning
Lucas Vazquez has stated that it would be a ‘dream’ to play in MLS. However, the Real Madrid midfielder’s comments illustrate a warning to teams signing European stars with mixed motives.
The European superstar has been a very prudent investment in Major League Soccer. There are plenty of examples of when teams have signed ageing players that flourished in Europe and have ‘retired’ in MLS and have improved substantially as a result. It can be a very successful and wise way of spending money and wages, as well as one of the now three Designated Player slots.
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But as history proves, the motives of the players coming to play in MLS are key. Are they arriving for one last payday, happy to do the bare minimum, and meander their way towards retirement? Or are they willing to work hard, to commit, to compete, and sometimes, even, to win?
There is a whole scale in between these two extents, and plenty of player slot closer to one end or the other. And almost irrespective of the quality of their play, it is the commitment of their character that defines their success.
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Realistically, many of the European-based players could come to MLS and dominate. If they were to work hard and fully commit themselves, they would be one of the premier players in the league, even those that have not enjoyed illustrious careers across the pond. What separates them, then, is not talent, although that, of course, plays a part, but their character, their personality, their motives.
Take New York Red Bulls Rafael Marquez, for instance, who once said the following after a 3-1 defeat to Real Salt Lake:
"“If you watched the game, there were individual errors that you can’t do anything about. If we look at statistics, I stole a lot of balls. I think I made two or three bad passes out of 30 plus attempts. I almost didn’t commit any errors, so I am not worried. I think I am playing at my maximum level, and doing everything I can. I don’t have, unfortunately, four defenders on my level that can help me out.”"
He then compounded that insult with the following:
"“I think that this is a team game, and unfortunately, there isn’t an equal level between perhaps (Thierry Henry) and myself, and our teammates.”"
Marquez is one of the worst signings in MLS history. But not because he couldn’t play — this is a Barcelona legend and Champions League winner. You can bet your bottom dollar that he could have performed well at the MLS level, if he really wanted to. Rather, he was simply unwilling to work hard, more than happy to wander into retirement collecting his final paycheque. His motives were wrong, and thereby his performances were disastrous.
This leads me to Victor Vazquez’s recent comments. When speaking to Bleacher Report via ESPN, the Real Madrid conceded that he would ‘love to play in MLS one day’:
"“It would be incredible, I’d love to play in MLS one day. I love basketball. I love the teams of Lebron James.”"
But then consider his immediate reasons for wanting to play in MLS: his love of basketball and his love of LeBron James and the teams he has played for. He does not want to join the league because of the league. In fact, his port of call for providing genuine reasons is a different sport entirely. That is hardly the type of player you want to bring to your squad, right?
Now, admittedly, I have no clue what Vazquez is really thinking, and just because he loves basketball and LeBron James does not mean he will not work hard. This is not a piece to ward teams off signing Vazquez in particular. But it does highlight the importance of recognising the player’s motive for wanting to move to MLS. Do they really want to play in MLS, and if they don’t, are they really going to work hard for the team?
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These questions must be asked extensively whenever a European-based star is signed. And more often than not, they are ignored. In that instance, you end with Rafael Marquez, and we all know how that ends.