‘David Asks Me’—Kylian Mbappe Hints at Future MLS Move, Reveals Beckham Talks
‘David Asks Me’—Kylian Mbappe Hints at Future MLS Move, Reveals Beckham Talks
The Frenchman’s currently lighting up the World Cup for France, challenging Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland for the Golden Boot. Ben Steiner|
Kylian Mbappé was just eight years old when David Beckham signed with the LA Galaxy in 2007, but the latter arguably has a bigger influence on MLS now than he did then—to the extent that he’s even trying to butter up the Frenchman for a future move stateside.
Mbappé is currently at the World Cup with France, where he has scored four goals in two games to sit alongside Erling Haaland and just one behind the ageless Lionel Messi, and could finish the tournament as the highest goalscorer in the competition’s history, should he manage to outscore Messi by two or more.
Regarded as the best striker in the world alongside Kane, Mbappé has plenty still to achieve at current employers Real Madrid—but he didn’t shut down talk of a possible move to the U.S. at some point in the future when questioned by reporters.
“Will I come here before the end of my career? Maybe, I do not know,” Mbappé said. “David asks me if I want to come to the United States. We will see. It is a country I like, it is a pleasure to be here. The United States has a different culture from ours. I have always liked this culture where ambition has no limits, where people are not afraid to say what they can and want to do. It does not work everywhere.”
Messi’s Brilliance, MLS Calendar Shift
With MLS switching to a winter-based calendar to align with the rest of the world’s top leagues, the financial might of the league’s richest owners could be on show more than ever—and U.S. sports executives will push to sign stars like Mbappe, even before the twilight years of their careers.
Although Lionel Messi’s MLS tenure didn’t begin until he was 36, his success in the league and now at the World Cup is undoubtedly helping the case for MLS and the world’s biggest stars.
Even with an impressive World Cup past, Messi’s goal rate has never been better in the biggest tournament, and comes amid an MLS campaign that has seen him score 12 goals and contribute eight assists in 14 games. Last season, he helped Inter Miami win MLS Cup while also earning his second straight MLS MVP award for 29 goals and 19 assists in 28 games.
While the 27-year-old Mbappe is tied to Real Madrid through 2029, an MLS move could come earlier than expected. With the calendar flip and the league’s rising profile, there should be an expectation of MLS teams pushing for Mbappe’s next contract—and some clubs, backed by European teams or NFL franchises, will be able to battle financially with the world’s most lucrative offers.
The sticking point will, undoubtedly, be Mbappé’s desire to continue competing against the best. MLS play is rapidly improving but there’s still a sizable jump between what’s on offer at Real Madrid, who compete in the Champions League against the cream of Europe every year, and where the league is at now.
Where Would Mbappe Fit in MLS?
Picking the perfect spot soccer-wise for Mbappe at this point is a fool’s errand, considering how much teams will change in the coming seasons and how clubs can deal with the new calendar, as well as the restructuring of salary systems that may come with the change.
But, it’s not too early to hypothetically pick out the teams that would most likely be in the mix.
Inter Miami, co-owned by led Beckham, will be looking for a new headline superstar after Messi’s contract ends in 2028, and could offer Mbappé a similar deal—with revenue-sharing from broadcasting and countless other benefits beyond his playing salary. Yet, they might have to compete with a few other MLS teams.
Already enjoying the American culture in New York-New Jersey at this World Cup, New York City FC could be in the mix, given their financial power through City Football Group and the possibility of having a superstar at what will still be a new Etihad Park in Queens. At the same time, LAFC and the LA Galaxy will be able to offer the lavish lifestyle of Southern California.
A wild card team in the mix, though, could be CF Montréal. A decade ago, the then Montréal Impact signed Didier Drogba and Alessandro Nesta, but have since dropped off in their marquee signings. With the calendar switch, MLS commissioner Don Garber is pushing the team and local governments to complete renovations to the 1976 Olympic Stadium, which would provide a climate-controlled indoor environment in one of the league’s coldest markets.
If Montréal can complete the Olympic Stadium, there could be an enticing factor to bringing a French superstar with African roots to the multicultural, French-speaking and diehard sporting market that is Montréal.
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Published 5 hours ago | Modified 5 hours ago
BEN STEINERBen Steiner is an American-Canadian journalist who brings in-depth experience, having covered the North American national teams, MLS, CPL, NWSL, NSL and Liga MX for prominent outlets, including MLSsoccer.com, CBC Sports, and OneSoccer.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
