Heung-Min Son just dropped a bombshell that's got the whole MLS buzzing. The Los Angeles FC forward straight up said that Lionel Messi was the main reason he decided to join Major League Soccer. Not the money. Not the lifestyle. Messi.
"I came to MLS just because of Messi," Son explained in a recent interview. "He made the league even bigger, and I've always wanted to be like him. Messi has personally influenced me with everything he has achieved in his career. We are lucky to watch Messi play football. He is the Greatest Player of All Time."
That's not just standard player praise. That's a world-class talent admitting he restructured his career around the chance to compete in the same league as his idol. It shows just how much Messi's move to Inter Miami changed the entire landscape of American soccer.
Son Is Backing Up the Talk with Goals
Here's the thing about Son - he doesn't just talk a good game. During the 2025 MLS season, the Korean captain played 13 matches and banged in 12 goals while adding three assists. Those are elite numbers that put him among the league's most dangerous attackers.
The 2026 season just kicked off, and Son's already making waves. In his first Concacaf Champions Cup appearance, he scored once and set up three more goals. That's the kind of instant impact that makes LAFC look like serious contenders for silverware this year.
For bettors keeping an eye on MLS markets, Son's early form suggests LAFC should be near the top of your championship watchlist. When a player of his caliber is finding this kind of rhythm, team success usually follows.
A Career Built on Greatness
Born on July 8, 1992, Son remains captain of South Korea and is widely considered one of Asia's greatest ever players. His journey through European football prepared him for this moment, but coming to MLS feels different for him - it's personal.
He wanted to test himself in a league transformed by Messi's presence. He wanted to prove he could dominate in a competition that's rapidly gaining global respect. And based on his performances so far, he's doing exactly that.
LAFC fans have every reason to be excited. When you've got a player who studies greatness and wants to compete at the highest level, good things tend to happen. Son's move wasn't just about a new contract or a change of scenery - it was about legacy, inspiration, and chasing excellence alongside the player he considers the GOAT.
