7 best LA Galaxy players of all time - ranked
- LA Galaxy have had plenty of superstars walk through their doors since their inaugural 1996 season
- The likes of David Beckham and Landon Donovan are among the most notable players in team history
- Former Sweden international Zlatan ibrahimovic enjoyed two splendid seasons before returning to Europe in 2020
Several iconic and legendary players have donned the the LA Galaxy shirt during their extensive history as one of Major League Soccer's original teams.
Since the Galaxy's inaugural 1996 campaign, the club has seen many players come through the door that have starred across different positions on the pitch. Of course, there has to have been several players that have stepped up to lead the club as they have five MLS Cups, two US Open Cups, one CONCACAF Champions Cup and four Supporters' Shields to their name.
Players have come and gone in Los Angeles, but only a handful have truly left their mark on the Western Conference club.
Here are the top seven players in LA Galaxy's history.
7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Although Zlatan Ibrahimovic didn't end up lifting any trophies during his time at Dignity Health Sports Park, the former Sweden international was so good in MLS that he eventually made the move back to Europe.
Following two seasons from 2018-2019 in which Ibrahimovic managed 53 goals in 58 appearances, the iconic talisman returned to Europe to join AC Milan.
6. AJ DeLaGarza
AJ DeLaGarza might not be one of the household names you think of when LA Galaxy are mentioned, but he more than played his part in the team's success in the early 2010's.
DeLaGarza -- who was capable of playing as a defensive midfielder as well as a right-back -- would go on to suit up 250 times for the Galaxy, lifting three MLS Cups and two Supporters' Shield.
5. Mauricio Cienfuegos
Before Riqui Puig was the star of the show in the midfield, Mauricio Cienfeugos was racking up goals and assists for the LA Galaxy starting in the 1996 campaign.
The El Salvador icon would go to feature for LA for eight seasons before retiring in 2004, tallying 40 goals and 64 assists in 245 outings while lifting one MLS Cup, one US Open Cup, one CONCACAF Champions Cup and two Supporters' Shield.
4. Cobi Jones
While Cienfuegos was a brilliant player, he couldn't run the midfield alone -- but Cobi Jones was there to form a brilliant partnership between the two as he also joined ahead of the 1996 season.
Before hanging up his boots in 2008, Jones ended a 12-year spell with the Galaxy as the team's all-time appearances leader with 359 matches as well as 75 goals and 76 assists. Jones also enjoyed plenty of success, lifting eight trophies with the Galaxy.
3. Robbie Keane
Robbie Keane was an instant success when he joined LA Galaxy from Tottenham Hotspur in August 2011. The former Ireland international recorded four goals in 11 appearances near the end of the 2011 campaign before going out on loan to Aston Villa to remain fit and firing ahead of the 2012 season with the Galaxy.
Keane's 104 goals across 165 matches played are only second to USMNT legend Landon Donovan, and the former Inter and West Ham United striker would go on to lift three MLS Cups, one Supporters' Shield while also taking home the MLS MVP award in 2014.
2. David Beckham
The entire future of Major League Soccer changed when David Beckham signed for LA Galaxy in the summer of 2007.
More specifically, Donovan was a hit for the Galaxy. His 42 assists are fourth in club history, while his 20 goals scored in 124 appearances isn't too shabby.
Before joining PSG near the end of his career in January 2013, Beckham would play his part in the Galaxy lifting two MLS Cups and two Supporters' Shields.
1. Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan is simply the best player in the Galaxy's history. No one really comes close to the impact Donovan had up front as the team's center-forward.
The USMNT icon guided the Galaxy to four MLS Cups, two Supporters' Shields, one US Open Cup and was also awarded the league's MVP award for his stellar showings during the 2009 season. His 135 goals still remain the most in the team's history, and it doesn't look like that record will be changing anytime soon.