Former LA Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimovic breaks down why MLS hasn't advanced much

Former LA Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimovic has recently shared his thoughts on Major League Soccer, talking about how the league is doing and the hurdles it faces.

After making a big impact with LA Galaxy—scoring 52 goals and adding 17 assists in just 56 games—Zlatan is now advising AC Milan in Serie A. On ESPN’s First Take (h/t GOAL), he gave a straightforward take on where MLS stands and what it might become.

According to Ibrahimovic, MLS has been growing, but the pace of that growth has been hampered by too many rules and regulations. Reflecting on his time in North America, he described the league’s evolution as a “slow process,” attributing this to the restrictive rules that he believes are holding back faster progress.

Despite these constraints, he recognizes that the quality of the game is improving, with individual players showing enhanced skill levels.

Ibrahimovic emphasized the importance of continuing to invest in young talents and established European stars to elevate the league further. He explained that while big-name signings draw attention and showcase European quality, they are not the sole solution for long-term growth.

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Former LA Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimovic breaks down why MLS hasn't advanced much

“You need to build it from the base,” he said, stressing that the focus should be on nurturing talent and developing the league’s infrastructure, rather than relying solely on high-profile players.

His critique of MLS is not entirely new. Ibrahimovic has previously voiced discontent with various aspects of the league, including its playoff system and the disciplinary actions he faced.

For instance, his suspension for missing the 2018 MLS All-Star game due to fatigue and his criticisms of the playoff format—describing it as undermining consistent performance—highlight his ongoing concerns.

Following his departure from MLS in 2019, Ibrahimovic’s move back to Serie A was met with some friction. MLS Commissioner Don Garber expressed frustration at the notion that Ibrahimovic’s return to Italy was perceived as a retirement move, suggesting that the hard work he put into both leagues should be acknowledged equally.

In a nutshell, Ibrahimovic’s take shows that while MLS is moving forward, there’s still work to be done. He gets that the league is making progress but thinks it needs more changes and smart investments to really take off.