Cristiano Ronaldo’s current plan "is to come to MLS after he finishes at Real Madrid," as he "would likely arrive on a free transfer in 2018 once his current contract ends," according to sources cited by Grant Wahl of SI.com. Ronaldo "would likely be coming off a World Cup and would be 33 years old, older than David Beckham (32) was when he came to MLS but younger than Frank Lampard (37) or Steven Gerrard (35) will be when they arrive this summer." Ronaldo’s main interest "lies in cities you’d probably expect" -- Miami, L.A. and N.Y. (SI.com, 3/17). In DC, Des Bieler wrote even a "past-his-prime Ronaldo would be a huge draw at MLS stadiums, and a lot of fun to watch" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 3/17). Fox' Nicole Dabeau noted Ronaldo is "never one to turn down a chance for extra publicity and cash, so there is certainly some logic behind these rumors." However, she added, "Speculating about it is nothing more than a pipe dream” (FOXSPORTS.com, 3/17).
OPENING THE FLOODGATES: In L.A., Kevin Baxter wrote the U.S. "has suddenly become a soccer destination," and what once was "little more than a trickle of talent could soon turn into a flood." Orlando City SC MF Kaka, who made his name playing for the Brazilian national team, said, "A lot of players are looking for this league now. (In) five, 10 years it will be one of the biggest in the world." Baxter noted if the weather and the U.S. lifestyle "were once major selling points, it's been enhanced by the improved quality of play in MLS." Games "are televised around the world and that exposure, plus word of mouth from players, have raised the profile of a league once considered just a few steps above amateur." Red Bulls F Bradley Wright-Phillips, an England native, said, "The calls I get on a weekly basis from players from England (saying) 'I want to come here,' you'd be surprised." Baxter noted Spanish G Iker Casillas this winter said that he is "interested in MLS," as did German MF Bastian Schweinsteiger and Swedish F Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the past. MLS "is no longer just a place to pick up a couple of final paychecks before retirement." In the last two seasons, twenty-somethings Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore, Mix Diskerud and Obafemi Martins "all left European clubs to play for MLS teams" (L.A. TIMES, 3/15).
