MSU redshirt senior midfielder Giuseppe Barone was selected with the ninth pick in the third round of the 2021 MLS SuperDraft by CF Montréal on Thursday. Barone was the 63rd overall selection in the draft. 

Barone will have to fight for a roster spot, however, if he makes it, he will be playing for former Arsenal legend, Barcelona forward and MLS player Thierry Henry. 

arone had his best season during his junior year at MSU; this was the same year that the Spartans made a run to the College Cup for the first time since 1968. Barone finished that season with three goals and 10 assists and was named the Big Ten Midfielder of the year.

Had he chosen to forego his senior season, there is a strong chance that he would have been taken in the top 10 of the 2019 SuperDraft.

However, Barone returned to play for the Spartans in 2019, although it was riddled with struggles. He battled various nagging injuries the entire season and only played 45 minutes in total. 

Barone also planned to play as a fifth-year senior this fall before it was cancelled due to COVID-19. 

There is a possibility for those drafted to play for their school during the spring season, but this week, MSU head coach Damon Rensing said he doesn’t see his team having Barone around for the spring season. 

“He’s trying to get himself back to health and form and trying to start his professional career,” said Rensing.

MSU starts competition on Feb. 19 against Rutgers. The Spartans will be looking to improve off of last season’s disappointing 3-12-3 record.  They are scheduled to play a 10-game conference-only schedule that includes two matchups against Michigan and Ohio State.