MLS introduce 'debut' kit rule that Luis Suarez and Hugo Lloris had to follow

A special 'debut patch' has been worn by Luis Suarez, Hugo Lloris and Matty Longstaff this season after the MLS unveiled a new rule for newcomers.

At the weekend, former Newcastle United midfielder Matty Longstaff made his MLS debut for Toronto FC, appearing as a 62nd minute substitute against Charlotte.

Here, he wore the 'debut patch' that has previously been worn by a host of newcomers, including Emil Forsberg, Luis Muriel and former Middlesbrough midfielder Matt Crooks, who now plays for Real Salt Lake.

The trend officially started when the 2024 campaign kicked off on February 21, when Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates came up against Crooks and Real Salt Lake.

But why? Ahead of the 2024 campaign, Major League Soccer confirmed the patch would be placed on the upper-right chest by each team’s equipment manager.

As revealed by organisers, the patch is then removed at the end of the game before being placed on a 1/1 collectible Topps trading card; something that has also become popular in baseball.

The Topps MLS Debut Patch Autograph cards will be included in Topps products by the end of the year.

"Newcomers who debut by April 1 will have their patch card in a 2024 Topps MLS product," the official MLS website confirmed. "If a player debuts after that cutoff date, their patch will go in the following year’s product."

They added: "Fans can collect and be part of a special milestone in a player’s career.

"This unique program underscores the League’s commitment to partnering on the creation of innovative products that strengthen the connection between players and fans."

There’s no way in MLS you have to wear a debut badge🤣 https://t.co/wVJCNr7fqp pic.twitter.com/EyH4CRXNIX

— BayJay (@BayJay__) March 10, 2024

Here's how fans reacted to the patch on social media.

One said: "As a sport card collector, this is dope. Can't wait," while another commented: "Something about a 37-year-old Luis Suarez wearing a DEBUT patch like he’s a 22 year old rookie out of college is comical."

A third added: "Topps do this a lot with other sports. Makes for some really nice collectible bits. Surprised there’s not more of a crossover between kit collectors and trading cards tbh."