Major League Soccer (MLS) has made a significant signing by acquiring South Korean forward Son Heung-min, who has joined Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) after ten seasons with Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League. The transfer was completed for a record $26 million fee. Son revealed that a key factor influencing his decision to move from European football to MLS was witnessing Lionel Messi’s recent switch to the league, which altered his view of soccer in the United States.
Son was particularly impressed by the arrival of several top European players in MLS but singled out Messi’s move as a decisive moment in changing his perspective on the league’s potential.
Admiration for Lionel Messi’s Impact on Soccer
Son Heung-min expressed deep respect for Lionel Messi, highlighting the Argentine star’s influence on both his own career and the broader soccer world. Speaking to LAFC’s media, Son said,
“We are very lucky that Messi plays football in our generation. Watching him play, score so many goals and come to MLS must have impacted many other players. It also impacted me, for everything he has done for his club and his country. It changed the way I think and now I’m very lucky to be able to share the pitch with him,”
Son, who has signed with LAFC through 2027 with an option for extension until 2029, emphasized that Messi’s arrival signaled a new era for MLS. However, on the competitive side, the two stars will only be able to face each other if both LAFC and Inter Miami qualify for the MLS playoffs, as they play in different conferences and did not meet during the regular season’s scheduled interconference games.
Son’s Enthusiasm for His New Chapter in Los Angeles
At a press conference announcing his signing, Son conveyed excitement and pride about joining LAFC and competing in one of the world’s most vibrant sports cities. He shared,
“I’m incredibly proud to join LAFC, a club with great ambition in one of the most iconic sporting cities in the world,”
Son further stated his commitment to his new team by saying,
“I’m here to help write the next chapter. I’m excited for this new challenge in MLS. I’ve come to lift trophies and give everything for this team, this city and its fans.”
Son’s first official match with LAFC will likely not be immediate; the team’s upcoming game on August 9 against Chicago Fire will see him acclimating to the new environment and style of play. He is expected to make his debut at LAFC’s home stadium on August 23, when the club faces Dallas FC, providing fans with their first opportunity to see the new signing in action. Before that, LAFC plays an away match against New England Revolution on the East Coast.
Significance of Son’s Move and Future Outlook
Son Heung-min’s transfer to LAFC, inspired by Lionel Messi’s presence in MLS, highlights the league’s growing allure for top talent worldwide. This move may encourage more elite players to consider the United States as a viable destination for advancing their careers while contributing to MLS’s competitiveness and popularity. As Son adapts to his new surroundings, his performance will be closely watched, and his presence alongside stars like Messi could elevate interest in the league globally.