Photos

A Photographic Journey Through The Career Of Our Lord And Savior, Landon Donovan

Landon Donovan receives a lot of abuse for his playing career, and if you forget World Cups, the fact that he signed for Bayer Leverkusen as a teenager, the well-deserved accolade of having the MLS MVP award named after him, his successful loan moves with Everton, his hugely influential 14-year spell with the national team and his joyfully direct play, then he totally deserves all the criticism that comes his way.

The 36-year-old just recently returned to professional soccer after signing with Mexico’s Club Leon, and now we’d like to reminisce over the life and times of America’s golden boy.

Here’s a photographic journey through Donovan’s professional career.

A wild Landon Donovan appears with some spicy flow.
Landon Donovan
@Cnyari | Twitter

Landon Donovan with a righteous flow.

At the 1999 U17 World Cup, Donovan showed the world that he now owned the sport.
Landon Donovan
@fifacom_de | Twitter

Landon Donovan, Gooch and Run DMB.

Being from Southern California, LD was always down with the cool stuff.
Landon Donovan
@msinger | Twitter

Landon Donovan and Run DMB.

Landon Donovan on his USMNT debut in 2000.
Landon Donovan
@05rowa | Twitter

Landon Donovan running at a soccer ball to kick it, I'd assume.

How did this get in here?
Landon Donovan
@thesportsrabbi | Twitter

Landon Donovan with a bloke.

Donovan wins his first MLS Cup in 2001, celebrates in an oversized t-shirt.
Landon Donovan
@TurkiyeMLS | Twitter

Landon Donovan with a big T-shirt.

HAVE MERCY
Landon Donovan
@dahackne | Twitter

Oliver Kahn kills Landon Donovan.

In 2003, Landon Donovan got trapped inside a game, like TRON.
Landon Donovan photos
I took this photo.

Landon Donovan on the cover of FIFA 2003.

Donovan does a DISGRACEFUL thing in 2004.
Landon Donovan photos
@ladiablarom | Twitter

Landon Donovan whips out his tinkler and takes a tinkle. It's a disgrace.

LD signs with LA in 2005.
Landon Donovan
@allyoop_25 | Twitter

Hi, I'm here now.

Donovan's biggest contribution at the 2006 World Cup (sorry, Landon)
Landon Donovan
@SuperSportCardT | Twitter

Landon Donovan on the cover of SI.

Landon Donovan with the ugliest trophy in all of sports.
Landon Donovan
@footballscrolls | Twitter

Landon Donovan with a monstrosity.

Bayern Munich's GOAT
Landon Donovan
@robert261610 | Twitter

Landon Donovan was Bayern's greatest ever player.

Back to LA to kick more soccer butt.
Landon Donovan photos
@fanly_galaxy | Twitter

Kicking butt.

Everton's GOAT
Landon Donovan
@EvertonBlueArmy | Twitter

Landon Donovan was a Toffee.

Landon Donovan unites the planet with love for Landon Donovan.
Landon Donovan
@ASAP_SportsNews | Twitter

Landon Donovan scores a goal for humanity.

Dos a Cero
Landon Donovan
@Goldsmith_man | Twitter

Landon Donovan dos a cero.

Donovan returned to Everton like he left his keys, wallet and cell phone.
Landon Donovan photos
@Boris531 | Twitter

Landon Donovan being a Toffee again.

Donovan destroyed the 2013 Gold Cup, so Jurgen Klinsmann dropped him from 2014 World Cup. Nice one, Jurgen.
Landon Donovan photos
@diarioelheraldo | Twitter

Landon Donovan at the 2013 Gold Cup.

Donovan then won the 2014 MLS Cup. Why would you take Chris Wondolowski over Donovan? Why??
Landon Donovan photos
@SuporterFC | Twitter

Landon Donovan and the MLS Cup k-i-s-s-i-n-g.

In 2015, a retired Landon Donovan coached the Chipotle Boys.
Landon Donovan
@SBISoccer | Twitter

Landon Donovan is Chipotle coach.

In 2016, Donovan came out of retirement and played in nine matches for the Galaxy.
Landon Donovan
@FOXSoccer | Twitter

Landon Donovan returns to MLS.

In 2017, Donovan brought his quiet voice to the booth.
Landon Donovan
@wsoccertalk | Twitter

Landon Donovan talking on the TV.

Retirement allowed Donovan to do the things he’d always wanted, like jump off a truck.
Landon Donovan photos
@malooracks | Twitter

Landon Donovan jumps off a truck.

It's the year 2018 and LD is now Liga MX's GOAT
Landon Donovan photos
@PeriodistaU | Twitter

Landon Donovan tells his enemies to silencio

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