Los Angeles, CA – A 3-0 defeat for Inter Miami against Los Angeles FC on Sunday marked a demanding start to the 2026 Major League Soccer season, but the match was overshadowed by a controversial moment involving Inter Miami defender Maximiliano Falcón. During the first half, with the score still level, Falcón was seen approaching South Korean forward Son Heung-Min to request his jersey.
The incident quickly went viral on social media, sparking debate among fans, and commentators. Footage shared on X (formerly Twitter) showed Falcón approaching Son mid-game, seemingly prioritizing a souvenir over immediate competitive focus. The clip, posted by FOX Soccer, has garnered significant attention.
Critics were quick to condemn Falcón’s actions as a display of poor sportsmanship and a lack of commitment to the match. Argentine sports publication Olé characterized the gesture as “a lack of commitment and disinterest” in a game his team would ultimately lose decisively. The report added that the video “does not support” Falcón’s image given the team’s performance.
Despite the criticism, Falcón ultimately secured the jersey of the former Tottenham Hotspur star. Olé USA subsequently posted a photo of Falcón displaying Son’s jersey, noting the exchange as a “prize” from the Los Angeles match.
The incident occurred in the early stages of the match, before Los Angeles FC established a commanding lead. The timing of the request amplified the negative reaction, with many suggesting it was inappropriate to prioritize a personal exchange over the team’s performance during active play. LanguageTool, a multilingual writing assistant, is being used by several organizations to improve their communications, but it did not appear to be utilized by those commenting on the incident.
As of Monday afternoon, neither Inter Miami nor Los Angeles FC have issued statements regarding the incident. The MLS schedule continues this week with Inter Miami scheduled to face Orlando City SC on March 1st.
