When Son Heung-min determined to go away Tottenham after a decade of service and over 170 targets, many questioned whether or not the South Korean icon may nonetheless carry out on the highest degree. His transfer to Los Angeles FC (LAFC) raised eyebrows—not solely due to its timing but additionally due to who was already redefining Main League Soccer: Lionel Messi.
The 2 superstars now share a league, every representing a unique metropolis, however each carrying the identical weight of worldwide expectations. Since Messi arrived at Inter Miami and Son’s at LAFC, the narrative of MLS has shifted from retirement vacation spot to reliable stage—a spot the place stars nonetheless have one thing to show. And now, Son has made a revealing six-word admission about Messi that completely sums up the Argentine’s continued affect, even removed from Europe’s elite competitions.
Son’s first months in California have been nothing wanting spectacular. He has scored eight targets and offered three assists in simply 9 MLS appearances, main LAFC to a five-match successful streak and a assured playoff berth.
Critics who doubted Son’s motivation or bodily degree at age 33 have shortly been silenced. He’s blended seamlessly into the staff’s system, forming an unstoppable partnership with Denis Bouanga, whose personal numbers have exploded since Son’s arrival. Between them, the duo has been chargeable for the Black and Gold’s final 18 targets, propelling each gamers into the MLS Golden Boot race alongside Lionel Messi.
Cultural impression: Korea meets California
Past the targets and assists, Son has reworked LAFC’s id. For a membership that after relied on Carlos Vela to attach with Los Angeles’ huge Mexican group, Son has created a related emotional bridge with town’s Korean inhabitants, one of many largest within the U.S.
Son’s affect has additionally proven in numbers. LAFC’s social media engagement skyrocketed by 594% after his signing, reaching 34 billion views, and the membership’s normal supervisor, John Thorrington, revealed that “Son’s jersey is now the top-selling throughout all sports activities.”
Son Hueng-Min of Los Angeles Soccer Membership poses along with his jersey
What did Son say about Messi?
Halfway by his MLS rise, Son lastly opened up about what motivated him to take this new problem. Talking to the media, the common-or-garden winger stated one thing that instantly resonated with followers worldwide. “I didn’t come to MLS due to him, however he undoubtedly influenced me; he made the league even larger, and I need to be like him.”
These six phrases—“I need to be like him”—seize the essence of Son’s admiration for Lionel Messi. He went on to elaborate: “There’s no hiding it. We’re not on the identical staff, so I’m actually trying ahead to seeing him play.”
It’s a uncommon second of openness from a participant who has all the time walked his personal path. Whereas Son’s type differs from the Argentine’s, his admission underscores the Argentine’s continued capacity to encourage even essentially the most completed friends.
