Cristiano Ronaldo to join MLS in summer 2018, report says

Real Madrid forward could be the latest international star to join the US professional league

(AP Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo, the current holder of the Fifa Ballon d'Or, given to the world's best football player, is set to join Major League Soccer in the summer of 2018, Sports Illustrated reported.

Though it is far from guaranteed, sources close to the Real Madrid and Portugal superstar have told SI reporter Grant Wahl that Ronaldo plans to join the US professional league once his current contract ends in 2018.

Those sources say that should Ronaldo join MLS, he would prefer to play in New York - which has two teams - Los Angeles - which is soon to have two teams- or Miami - which is expected to have a team by 2018.

Ronaldo's agent previously hinted that the forward could join the MLS once his contract is up, saying in January "After that, perhaps he will go to the United States. Only God knows what will happen,” Telefoot reported.

Several superstar footballers have joined MLS in recent years - including David Villa, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Kaka - boosting the credibility of the league.

But only Kaka won a Ballon d'Or prior to joining MLS, collecting the award in 2007. Ronaldo has won the award three times, in 2008, 2013 and 2014.

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