Be it David Beckham and Ronaldinho joining PSG in the early 2010s or Cristiano Ronaldo joining Al Nassr last year, when star players go outside the top 5 leagues, there is a massive cultural impact. While PSG saw a massive influx of resources and talent, the Saudi Arabian league is also experiencing something similar this season. Lionel Messi’s high-profile transfer could replicate the same magic in a few years’ time. However, it looks like the “GOAT effect” has already started taking its course of action.

“If it becomes bigger, you never know” – Arsenal wonder kid Folarin Balogun teases joining the MLS amidst Messi’s monstrous predicted impact

22-year-old USMNT and Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun had a piping-hot season at Reims last year. Despite performing extremely well on loan for the French side, the striker is not the first choice for Mikel Arteta. Amidst uncertainty and transfer links to Serie A clubs such as Inter, the wonderkid was asked his opinion on joining the MLS. As expected, Balogun wanted to focus on European football at this stage of his career. But he ended his response on an open-ended note.

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“I mean, yeah, I’m still quite young, but I’m sure that my focus, for now, is in Europe and trying to just do the best I can,” clarified Balogun. But the American star didn’t completely shut down the idea also. “I’m sure you never know what could happen in football. I’m sure at the end of my career or towards the end, it might be an option. You never know the direction it could go in.”

Balogun is already on a tremendous path of development in his young career. He outscored icons such as Neymar Jr and Lionel Messi in Ligue 1 last season.

Balogun outscored Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr last season in Ligue 1

If the quote “luck fortunes the brave” needed an example, Folarin Balogun’s story would rank first. After a tough loan spell at Middlesbrough, Balogun decided to get out of his comfort zone and go to France. As luck would have it, the decision turned out to be fruitful as he performed brilliantly at Reims.

The USMNT star scored a whopping 21 goals in Ligue 1 last season, overtaking the goal tally of global superstars Lionel Messi and Neymar. He also broke the record of being the youngest player in Ligue 1 to score more than 17 goals. While Balogun is still a bit raw at times, his talent is clearly evident with his Ligue 1 exploits.

Where do you see Balogun playing this season? What do you make of his comments implying a move to the MLS in the future? Let us know in the comments section below.

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