12th—this is how much Major League Soccer ranked by Opta Analyst in the list of the top 30 leagues across the world in 2025. Quite surprising, considering that throughout the years, many big names have graced the very American soil with their presence, including Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, former stars Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gareth Bale, as well as David Beckham, who, back in the days, used to play but now owns a team. Yet, here we are, witnessing the MLS not even making the top 10, let alone being compared with the big five of Europe.

Sure, a lot of factors may come into play in deciding such a thing. But one thing is clear: the conversation about the hope for the American men’s league to enter the best league in the world never dies, with many greats of the beautiful game backing it. The most recent support came from former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who vocally expressed his confidence in seeing the MLS become a sensation in no time.

Working as the head of global soccer at Red Bull, an organization with an MLS team called the New York Red Bulls, the German tactician shared his perspective on the league’s future. “I’m 100% sure, in five years time, we (will) speak completely differently… I can tell you, the quality is really, really good. Good players, a lot of talent, high intensity. I think (MLS) found its spot,” he said, as compiled by journalist Tom Bogert on X.

This comes from a man who, back in the days, not only used to play at the highest level but also later successfully transitioned as a coach to lead some of the biggest clubs and players across Europe, even winning illustrious trophies before eventually stepping aside from the job last year for a temporary break.

But as he makes way for a potential return to the game, Klopp is plying his trade for the MLS, guiding and analysing their future generation. So whatever he says is correct, right? Well, the majority of the soccer world would like to disagree despite his stature as a world-class tactician!

The soccer world disagrees with Jurgen Klopp’s MLS take!

As this tweet gained traction among ardent MLS fans, they couldn’t hold back in taking a dig at Jurgen Klopp’s admission regarding the league’s future. After all, the American league supporters, too, have been watching their favorite teams and players for quite a while now, and as much as they would love to believe him, they just can’t. One said, “Can’t fool us. He’s on MLS payroll, of course, he’s going to praise the league.”

Well, it’s not about being on an MLS payroll. Keep it aside for a moment. Honestly, Jurgen Klopp is one name, as countless other greats have praised the Don Garber-led domestic tournament. Heck, if you roll back a decade, we bet there must be one of the similar quotes about the league’s quality improving. Simply put, the real question for many has been when exactly these ‘next five years’ would come. “Lol, they’ve been sayin 5 years for 30 years,” wrote this fan.

Guess what? The hate against the MLS is so much that this fan didn’t shy away from dragging the rival league from Mexico, a.k.a. Liga MX: “Wonder if he’s seen what LigaMX looks like, to compare. I checked out Toluca v Monterrey and the quality AND entertainment was far ahead of what I see on MLS. Our league is defense-heavy and overly tactical – not fun to watch.”

Now, you wanna hear a twist? Remember our 12th-place stat that we mentioned above. Well, truth be told, Major League Soccer is a place ahead of Liga MX, which is placed 13th in the top 30 leagues list. Then again, this hardly lets fans overlook perhaps the biggest concern of all that has always surrounded the league: youth, who majorly follow the outside leagues instead of their own homegrown leagues, mainly because the viewership is too heavily commercialized in America.

“The League has completely lost the next generation. Top youth players don’t follow or watch MLS. They follow European Leagues and players. Primarily the Prem. They get that coverage free. They aren’t going to pay for lesser players and teams. Good job Don!!!” wrote another, taking a dig at the MLS’s $2 billion broadcast deal with Apple TV+. Higher prices of their subscriptions + fans not being able to afford it = poor viewership and downfall of the league.

“Don Garber must have paid big money for this quote, because all they very tuned in people on this app tell me no one cares about MLS because it’s not good enough,” commented another netizen.

Shots fired! Like we said, soccer in America is hardly looked at from a sporting perspective, with the rich who are controlling it only thinking about their own profits, like this fan vocally admitted. Not to mention the other restrictions the league has on teams and players, like the salary cap, GAM, TAM, and whatnot—something which is only followed in America.

No wonder Gareth Bale believed that MLS would grow a lot if it started implementing the beautiful game like others do in the world. “Nonsense, MLS will never go anywhere with all these greedy owners who have no passion for soccer only passion for money. How you going to grow this league with a ridiculous salary cap and all of this GAM, TAM nonsense,” said another.

Be that as it may, this is just a glimpse of what you saw as many came to take a dig at Jurgen Klopp’s hopeful claim. Whether the MLS has really grown or not is something we leave in your hands. Share your thoughts in the comments below!