New MLS Billionaire Wants De Bruyne and Salah

When you think about world soccer, MLS probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. At least, not yet. But if Egyptian billionaire Sir Mohamed Mansour has his way, that’s about to change. He’s already stirring things up with his ambition to sign two of the Premier League’s biggest stars: Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah. Now, let me be real with you. Does this actually have a chance of happening, or is this just another rich guy trying to buy prestige in soccer?

Mansour isn’t interested in being just another businessman in the soccer world. He wants to turn his club into a powerhouse, and what better way to do that than by bringing in two of the biggest names in European soccer? Belgian De Bruyne, the mastermind at Manchester City, and Salah, Liverpool’s “Pharaoh,” would be the key pieces in this mega plan. After all, what team owner wouldn’t want these two legends on their roster, right?

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But before we start dreaming about De Bruyne and Salah playing on American fields, we’ve got to keep our competition in mind. We’re not talking about small clubs or emerging leagues. The Saudi Pro League, yep, the one that managed to lure in Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, is also eyeing these two. And, let’s be honest, when it comes to money, the Saudis have bottomless wallets.

So, does MLS, even with all its recent growth, have enough appeal to attract two of the world’s best players? Well, Mansour seems to think so. He believes his billions might just be enough to convince these two to leave Europe’s elite soccer scene and come play in a less competitive, more relaxed setting with way less pressure.

Let’s face it. MLS isn’t exactly a league that demands high performance or has the threat of relegation. Compared to the Premier League or Champions League, it’s like a walk in the park. And maybe that’s exactly what Mansour is offering. An early retirement, but one that’s still very well-paid. It’s not that far-fetched, especially considering that many players, when they hit a certain age, start thinking about extending their careers in leagues that are physically less demanding.

Plus, there’s the Messi factor. Lionel Messi, the biggest name in world soccer, is already playing in MLS with Inter Miami. Just having Messi in the league has brought more attention to American soccer, and that definitely plays in Mansour’s favor. If Messi can play in MLS, why couldn’t De Bruyne and Salah?

While the appeal of living in the U.S. is huge, and San Diego is definitely not a bad place to live, soccer-wise, MLS is still light-years away from being an elite league. For De Bruyne, one of the best midfielders on the planet, and Salah, one of Liverpool’s all-time top scorers, is it worth giving up playing at the top of European soccer, where they can still win major trophies, to jump into this American adventure?

One thing we can’t ignore is Mansour’s own journey. The guy isn’t some rookie in the business world. He’s been at the top, lost everything, and like a phoenix, came back stronger. And he’s got a different perspective from traditional club owners. Mansour knows the value of money, but he also understands that reputation and legacy are priceless. If he actually pulls off signing De Bruyne and Salah for San Diego, he won’t just be changing the game for MLS; he’ll be rewriting his own story.

On the flip side, there’s something a little ironic about this whole situation. European soccer, which for years dominated with its billions and massive budgets, is now seeing new powers emerge. MLS, once laughed off as the “retirement home,” is starting to make noise. Sure, it’s still no threat to the Premier League or La Liga, but you can’t ignore the growth anymore. And Mansour’s money, combined with the aggressive mindset of new owners, could speed up that process.

And we can’t forget the impact Messi’s arrival is already having over there. His move to MLS was seen as a milestone, a sign that maybe American soccer is ready to take the next step. So, why not De Bruyne and Salah? Mansour’s logic makes sense, especially when you think about how the mix of money and lifestyle in the U.S. might be appealing enough to attract stars who, in the past, wouldn’t have even considered leaving Europe. But even so, it’s not gonna be easy.