Toronto FC recently announced the termination of contracts for former Italy internationals Federico Bernardeschi and Lorenzo Insigne. Their time in Major League Soccer will likely be remembered more for their lack of impact than any on-field success. The club described the decision as `mutual,` reflecting the players` reported desire to leave the Canadian team towards the end of their tenure.
Both players arrived mid-season in 2022, part of an ambitious push by Toronto FC to regain prominence after struggling in the playoffs for several years. Despite decent individual goal tallies – Bernardeschi scored 26 in 99 appearances, and Insigne netted 19 in 76 – the team failed to reach the playoffs during their time there and remain near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings this season.
Ultimately, their MLS stints were defined by an inability to elevate the team`s performance or leave a lasting positive mark on Toronto FC, all while earning significant salaries. Insigne was the league`s second-highest paid player before his departure, earning over $15 million annually, while Bernardeschi`s salary exceeded $6 million per year.
Their struggles position them among some of the league`s most disappointing high-profile acquisitions, joining a varied list of former MLS players whose tenures generated more controversy or disappointment than on-field highlights.
Worst Marquee Signings in MLS History
5. Blaise Matuidi, Inter Miami
Years before Lionel Messi arrived, Inter Miami was keen on attracting big names, having already signed Gonzalo Higuain. In 2020, they added World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi on a free transfer. The move immediately raised questions, and the following year, MLS found Matuidi`s contract violated league financial rules. This resulted in a substantial $2 million fine for the club and sanctions against personnel. The fallout forced Miami to exclude Matuidi from their roster in 2022 due to exceeding the designated player limit, creating a scandal far more memorable than his actual contributions on the field.
4. Federico Bernardeschi, Toronto FC
Bernardeschi`s inclusion highlights Toronto FC`s history of unsuccessful marquee signings. While he had some notable moments, like a hat-trick against CF Montreal and an MLS All-Star selection, his time in Toronto seemed characterized more by off-field “vibes” and disciplinary issues. His record of 26 yellow cards and four red cards is particularly striking when compared to his goal tally. Accusations surfaced that he was simply playing for a paycheck, which he denied, though a former teammate alleged he would vape in the locker room early in his tenure. Despite individual flashes, he didn`t significantly improve the team.
3. Rais M`Bolhi, Philadelphia Union
Unlike Bernardeschi`s extended stay, goalkeeper Rais M`Bolhi`s tenure earns him a spot among the worst designated player signings due to how quickly it became a failure. Following an impressive performance for Algeria at the 2014 World Cup, including an 11-save game against eventual winners Germany, M`Bolhi joined the Philadelphia Union. However, within less than a year, then-coach Jim Curtin stated M`Bolhi would not play for the team again, citing poor performance and rumored conflicts with teammates. He appeared in only nine games before his brief, unsuccessful spell concluded.
2. Rafael Marquez, New York Red Bulls
Many designated player disappointments begin with a high-profile signing intended to bring silverware. The New York Red Bulls attempted this post-2010 World Cup by signing former Barcelona stars Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez. While Henry became an MLS success story, Marquez did not. Though more visible than Matuidi on the pitch, his contributions were often negative. He lacked pace, received red cards in the playoffs in two of his three seasons, and famously threw a ball at Landon Donovan during a playoff loss to the LA Galaxy. Coupled with public comments suggesting his teammates weren`t at his `level` and calling the MLS move the worst decision of his career, Marquez is a prime example of a disappointing designated player.
1. Lothar Matthaus, New York/New Jersey MetroStars
Before the Red Bulls era and the designated player rule, Lothar Matthaus had a famously brief and unsuccessful period with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars. His time was shorter even than M`Bolhi`s, lasting only from March to October 2000. He made minimal impact in his 16 appearances, with the most memorable moment being a vacation to St. Tropez while supposedly recovering from a back injury. He retired shortly after, leaving behind a legacy that represents the opposite of a successful star signing.
