In a few days’ time, Major League Soccer will welcome Lionel Messi, one of the greatest players in the history of football.
As we await the arrival of La Pulga at Inter Miami, here is the most capped African footballers in the history of the American league.
Senegal’s Dominique Badji one of the most capped Africans in MLS
Lionel Messi is an incredible footballer. Like his historic rival Cristiano Ronaldo, the Argentinian genius holds a number of crazy records in football.
At 36, however, it is highly unlikely that the future Inter Miami player will be able to match Kei Kamara’s record.The Sierra Leone striker is in fact the foreign player who has played the most games in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Currently playing for Chicago Fire, the 38-year-old has played 405 matches.He has played for 10 clubs, scored 143 MLS goals and provided 45 assists.
Kei Kamara, the most capped foreign player in Major League Soccer
As the most capped foreign player, Kei Kamara is the logical leader of Major League Soccer’s African colony.
But the native of Kenema, in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone, is not the only African player who has really roamed the American turf. There are also Ghanaians Dominic Oduro and Patrick Nyarko. The former, a right winger, ended his career in 2020 at the age of 35. He played 345 MLS games for 63 goals and 34 assists.
The second is a left winger who spent virtually his entire career with Chicago Fire. Retired since 2018, he recorded 236 games, 24 goals and 42 assists.
Dominique Badji two games away from the 200 mark
Still active, Dominique Badji has yet to reach 200 caps in Major League Soccer.But the Senegalese striker is very close with 198 games, 41 goals and 24 assists.
The 30-year-old also bagged a brace on the final day of MLS action last week. His club Cincinnati FC leads Group A after 21 games.
The 6 most-capped Africans in MLS
Kei Kamara (Sierra Leone): 405 matches, 143 goals, 45 assists
Dominic Oduro (Ghana): 345 games, 63 goals, 34 assists
Patrick Nyarko (Ghana): 236 matches, 24 goals, 42 assists
Tony Tchani (Cameroon) : 212 matches, 15 goals, 18 assists
Harrison Afful (Ghana) : 198 matches, 6 goals, 14 assists
Dominique Badji (Senegal) : 198 matches, 41 goals, 24 assists.
Source: SNA
