Several players have reached the top of international soccer by winning the FIFA World Cup. However, only a handful of these players have gone to North America to play in the continent’s top leagues.
Mexico and the United States will be in focus at the next World Cup, as the two countries, along with Canada, are hosting the 2026 edition. Both have hosted the tournament before, but both have also had their chances to see previous winners of the tournament in action.
Here are some of the players who have lifted the biggest prize in international soccer and spent time in their careers in Mexico or the United States.
Pelé (Brazil, 1958, 1962, 1970 World Cup):
Pelé was the first major star to come over to the United States. The Brazilian star left South America in 1975 to join the New York Cosmos, helping to lay the groundwork for the fandom of the sport in the country.
The former Santos FC player played 64 NASL games for the Cosmos in 1975, 1976, and 1977, scoring 37 goals during his time in North America. His effect on the Cosmos was huge. In the season before Pelé arrived, the Cosmos’ largest home crowd was 8,009, but attendances during his time with the team regularly swelled to more than 40,000.
Lionel Messi (Argentina, 2022 World Cup):
Messi decided it was time to move from in Europe this summer after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired on June 30. Despite interest from Saudi Arabia, the Argentine decided that the United States would be his next destination.
In what was his final attempt to win a World Cup, the former FC Barcelona star put on a memorable performance in Qatar. Messi ultimately scored a brace in the final against France, winning on penalty kicks and lifting the trophy that had long eluded him throughout his career.
Thiago Almada (Argentina, 2022 World Cup):
Almada joined Atlanta United in 2022 for a reported $16 million transfer from Velez Sarsfield. The Argentine won the Newcomer of the Year award in his first season, scoring six goals and contributing 12 assists.
The 22-year-old’s production resulted in a late call-up to join the Argentina national team for the 2022 World Cup. Almada would lift the trophy and gain vast experience as he’ll likely be one of the key players for the next generation.
David Villa (Spain, 2010 World Cup):
Villa was part of the Spanish national team that gave the country its first World Cup win in 2010 during the tournament in South Africa. The striker had an illustrious career in Europe, playing for top clubs in LaLiga, like Barcelona and Atlético Madrid.
Eventually, Villa made his way to expansion side New York City FC. The Spain international played 126 matches in all competitions, scoring 80 goals and registering 21 assists while also winning the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award in 2016.
Thierry Henry (France, 1998 World Cup):
Henry, the iconic French forward, played an instrumental role in his country’s triumph on home soil in 1998. After winning the World Cup, Henry played at top clubs like Arsenal and Barcelona, gaining more name recognition on the global stage.
The Frenchman scored 51 goals and 42 assists in 122 league matches during his time with the New York Red Bulls, winning the club’s first-ever major trophy.
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany, 2014 World Cup):
After playing an integral role in Germany’s triumph at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and spending over a decade at Bayern Munich, Schweinsteiger eventually made his way to Chicago.
Schweinsteiger didn’t win any major trophies in the United States but produced quality numbers during his three seasons. The German midfielder joined the Chicago Fire in 2017, a spell in which he scored eight goals and recorded 15 assists.
Kaká (Brazil, 2002 World Cup):
Kaká was a young player on the Brazil team that won the World Cup in Japan and South Korea. The Brazilian went on to also win the Ballon d’Or in 2007, so when he went to Orlando City SC in 2015, there was buzz over his arrival.
The former AC Milan star scored 24 goals and had 22 assists in 75 appearances during his three seasons in Florida.
Alessandro Nesta (Italy, 2006 World Cup):
Nesta had an illustrious career in Italy, playing over 200 matches for Lazio and over 300 games for AC Milan in all competitions. The center-back was a part of the Italian team who won the 2006 World Cup.
After Nesta’s career in Europe ended, he left for CF Montreal. His arrival brought a touch of Italian defensive elegance to the league, captivating fans with his astute reading of the game and uncompromising defending. The World Cup winner would appear in 31 games over two seasons for the Canadian club.
Andrea Pirlo (Italy, 2006 World Cup):
Pirlo was a teammate of Nesta on the Italian team that won the 2006. Aside from winning the World Cup, Pirlo spent all of his European career in Italy, playing for all three major clubs in Serie A: AC Milan, Juventus, and Inter Milan.
The only time Pirlo left Italy at club level was when he went to New York City FC in 2015. During his three seasons there, Pirlo appeared in 60 matches scoring one goal and 18 assists.
Blaise Matuidi (France, 2018 World Cup):
Messi isn’t the first World Cup winner to play in Miami, as Matuidi played in the city before the Argentine. The midfielder helped Les Bleus win their second World Cup in 2018 as France defeated Croatia in the final in Russia.
Matuidi played for major clubs like PSG and Juventus before leaving for the United States in 2021. The Frenchman played one season with the South Florida-based club, appearing in 32 games while scoring one goal and recording one assist.
Florian Thauvin (France, 2018 World Cup):
Thauvin was part of the France squad that was victorious at the World Cup in 2018. The forward has bounced around in his career, including venturing to Mexico and reuniting with his former Olympique de Marseille teammate, André-Pierre Gignac, at Tigres in 2021.
While playing in the city of Monterrey, the Frenchman appeared in 38 contests in all competitions, scoring eight goals and five assists. Thauvin’s tenure ended in January 2023, when he moved to Udinese Calcio.
Ronaldinho (Brazil, 2002 World Cup):
The most famous World Cup winner to grace a Mexican pitch is Ronaldinho. The Brazilian was part of the team that won the 2002 World Cup, and after having stints with various major clubs in Europe and Brazil, he moved to Mexico.
Ronaldinho played the 2014-15 season in Mexico, appearing in 30 games while scoring eight goals and recording eight assists during his time there.
