Kevin-Prince Boateng calls the idea of playing in Major League Soccer “very interesting,” and the Ghanaian midfielder said it nearly came to fruition five years ago.
In an interview with Tony Meola and Brian Dunseth on SiriusXM FC Thursday, the 33-year-old who currently competes for Besiktas in Turkey while on loan from Fiorentina, said he’s always been intrigued by a possible move to MLS.
“I always said to everybody who asked me, I love MLS and who knows, I would love to play there because even to say I played in MLS as well because it’s getting bigger,” Boateng said. “I watch a lot of games. It’s getting more intense, it’s getting bigger. It’s very, very interesting. Very interesting. And there’s a big market. There’s big market.”
Boateng, who previously played for AC Milan and Tottenham Hotspur in a career that spans 16 years, said he was “really close” to signing with Orlando City SC five years ago.
“They sent me the offer, whatever, I was good with coach. But they gave me like 10 hours to decide and I said OK, I have to decide as a father, as a husband and as a player. Ten hours wasn’t enough, so I had to turn down the offer,” Boateng said. “Kaka even called me when he played there, he said, ‘Listen, come here. It’s a great city. Great place. The football is getting much better.’ I was really close to coming to the States, to MLS.”
If Boateng comes to MLS isn’t just about his work on the field. He has plans to build small-sided pitches around the United States to rival basketball courts and baseball diamonds.
“I want to go there and change something,” Boateng said.
