He has four more years on his contract with Real and says one day he'd like to play in Major League Soccer. That possibility seems remote because he earns $25.3 million in salary and endorsements a year, according to figures released by France Football.

Still, he has enjoyed America since 1994, when he came to the USA as a member of the Brazilian team that won the World Cup. He also would like to emulate Pele, whose arrival in 1975 to play for the New York Cosmos transformed the sport in America as nothing else has done before or since.

"I have very fond memories of '94, even though I didn't play a minute," he says. "I've come here a couple of times on vacation. (Los Angeles) is a beautiful city. I have stayed in Santa Monica and Malibu, and I enjoy the beaches. Last year I was in New York and stayed for two weeks.

"I never saw Pele play. When he arrived here, it was a huge part of the sport growing here in the United States. That's what I want to contribute."

Real Madrid, boasting international stars and multimillion-dollar salaries at almost every position, already has swept through Chicago and Southern California. While beating Mexican club Guadalajara and the Los Angeles Galaxy of MLS, Real acquired coveted Brazilian star Robinho for $30 million Thursday, which cast doubt on the future of striker Michael Owen.