MLS targets veteran Reinaldo for 2025 in bold move away from Brazilian Soccer

Major League Soccer continues to develop its market and has put its sights on Brazil once more. This time, Reinaldo is the target: an experienced left-back, a starter at Grêmio. The player is near the end of his contract and could be the next one to trade Brazilian soccer for the American market.

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It is not that MLS is new to bringing in Brazilian talent to strengthen their teams. The league is looking for those players who will bring experience and technical quality, and Reinaldo seems to fit that with years of playing in Brazilian soccer. But is this a correct destination for the left-back, now 34 years old?

Reinaldo: experience and consistency

Reinaldo is a respected name in Brazilian soccer. At 34, this left-back has plenty of experience; he is still consistent on the pitch despite his advanced age for an athlete. Reinaldo still is a starter and an important piece in Grêmio's defense under the command of Renato Portaluppi. It would not be just his experience in playing with big clubs, but the tactical awareness that could help any MLS team.

For MLS, Reinaldo is the opportunity to add a seasoned player still capable of high performances. The ever-growing league wants to combine young talents with experiences that can be leaders on the pitch. And that just looks the role Reinaldo seems to fulfill.

Timing the signing: opportunity or a risk?

The fact that he is in the last few months of his contract with Grêmio means that the negotiations will be much easier. He is free to sign a pre-contract with any team, and all indications mean his future might be made at the end of the current season. In the face of this uncertainty, a door for speculation is open and puts MLS on the table as a possibility of destination, as there is a flexibility to negotiate once the contract comes to an end with Grêmio.

The question is, whether it is the best time to change the scenery. At 34, Reinaldo is already past his physical peak; still, he is doing well and can continue doing so, though adjustment to such a highly physical league as MLS can be effort-consuming. On the other hand, his playing style is more about tactical intelligence and positioning, which could be just what some MLS teams need to balance their squads.

What Reinaldo can bring to MLS

Among the great attributes of Reinaldo is that he complements attack with consistency in defense. Most of the teams like to play a more open, offensive match in Major League Soccer, so having a left-back who could balance out both functions would be great for them. His experience in Série A and Copa Libertadores in Brazil would bring much-needed professionalism and a winning mentality into the locker room-something many growing MLS teams want.

A move to MLS might be just what Reinaldo needs to prolong his career in a league that gives great importance to veterans and, with an even higher competitive level, which is sometimes less stressful compared to that of Brazil. And it's not just a question of technical quality: it's leadership. Players of Reinaldo's caliber can bring important value to the squad-most especially to the younger ones-which increasingly is valued when building a team for MLS.

MLS interest in Brazilians

MLS has already shown that it likes a bit of Brazilian flavor. A number of Brazilian players have been the bright stars in the league for the last couple of years, and this connection between the Brazilian and American markets will continue further. With polished technique and the ability to play anywhere on the pitch, Brazilian players possess a certain undeniable charm, and Reinaldo is no exception, considering he is an attacking and defensively solid left-back.

The other point of view on Reinaldo's possible transfer to the United States is that it could be a strategic transfer by MLS. The league is increasingly interested in augmenting its global visibility and reaching a more international audience. Bringing in a veteran player who has built a solid career in Brazil could help solidify this bridge between the two markets even further.