Heung-min Son‘s LAFC jersey has become the highest-selling athlete jersey worldwide just days after his move from Tottenham Hotspur to Los Angeles FC, according to John Thorrington, the club’s Co-President and General Manager. The South Korean forward’s transfer, finalized last week in a record-breaking <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/soccer/mls/”>MLS deal worth £19.5 million, has propelled him ahead of Lionel Messi in MLS jersey sales.
Despite the recency of Son’s transatlantic switch, his jersey sales have surged past those of MLS’s longtime star Messi, positioning him not only as a leader in football jersey sales but also surpassing all athletes across major sports.
Club Executive Confirms Son Outselling Messi and Other Top Athletes
Speaking to talkSPORT, John Thorrington emphasized the unprecedented nature of Son’s jersey sales. He stated,
“This is now the second week where we’re not just talking about the highest-selling football jersey in the MLS,”
affirming,
“It is the highest-selling jersey of any sport in the world right now.”
When prompted further about whether Son’s jersey sales have overtaken Messi’s, Thorrington confirmed emphatically, “Right now, yes.”
The conversation continued with disbelief from host Andy Goldstein, who asked,
“Wow. Sorry, Heung-min Son’s shirt is the highest-selling in world football at the moment?”
Thorrington clarified Son’s dominance is not limited to football, adding that his jersey outpaces sales of stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry. He said,
If you take from when he signed at LAFC to now, he has sold more jerseys than any other athlete in the world.
—John Thorrington, LAFC Co-President and General Manager
Goldstein responded, “That’s amazing, that’s incredible,” to which Thorrington remarked, “That’s the scale of this.”
Son’s Influence Extends Beyond Jersey Sales to Ticket Demand
In addition to setting jersey sales records, Son’s arrival has driven a significant increase in ticket prices for LAFC matches, intensifying the competition with Messi, who plays for Inter Miami. Reports from The Korea Times highlight that ticket costs for LAFC’s upcoming match against San Diego FC on September 1 have surged from $300 to $1,500, reflecting heightened fan interest and anticipation.
Despite this commercial boom, Thorrington stressed that the true measure of Son’s impact will be his performance on the field rather than merchandise or ticket sales, saying,
The wisdom of this move will not be measured by commercial success, it will be measured by trophies and on-field success,
and added,
That’s what we’re really excited about. There’s two sides to it.
—John Thorrington, LAFC Co-President and General Manager
Context: A New Chapter in MLS and Football Transfers
Son’s transfer to LAFC not only broke the league’s transfer record but also shifted the merchandise landscape in MLS, traditionally dominated by Lionel Messi’s presence. This shift is notable in an environment where high-profile transfers, such as those involving Guehi, Wrexham’s record signings, and Premier League moves, continue to stir fan and media attention. Meanwhile, other teams like Crystal Palace and Manchester City remain active in pursuit of talent, highlighting the ongoing flux in global football.
As Son settles into his new role, his commercial success could reflect a broader willingness in MLS to invest in marquee players from Europe, balancing commercial gain and sporting objectives with increasing fan engagement. His jersey sales challenge the dominance of established stars, signaling possible changes in how athlete popularity translates globally.