Son Heung-min Could eclipse Messi as MLS Face, Says US Soccer Legend
Los Angeles FC’s acquisition of Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min has sparked discussion about his potential impact on Major League Soccer, with some suggesting he could become a more effective ambassador for the league than current standout lionel Messi. This comes as Messi continues his tenure with Inter Miami CF,beginning in July 2023,where he continues to demonstrate high-level skill and significantly boost the league’s profile.
Lionel Messi. /Getty Image Korea
While Messi’s arrival has undeniably elevated MLS, his impact on league promotion has been somewhat limited by his reserved personality and preference for communicating in Spanish. He also faced criticism for prioritizing football commitments and missing the MLS All-Star Game, an event with substantial commercial value.
Former US national team player alexi Lalas argued in his podcast, ‘State of the union,’ that Son Heung-min possesses qualities that could make him an even more impactful figure for MLS. “I’m sure Son Heung-min is going to be much more active,” Lalas stated. “Son Heung-min knows how to speak English,and there are many fans around the world. This will have a tremendous influence on MLS.”
LAFC’s location in Los Angeles, the most populous city in the United States, is also seen as a strategic advantage. Even though Messi plays in Miami, a city with a large Latin American population, Lalas believes Son Heung-min’s potential as an “MLS Ambassador” could surpass Messi’s. The article notes that for a week after Son Heung-min joined Tottenham hotspur,the team was ranked number one in the world.
Despite Messi’s continued excellence and widespread popularity, Lalas’s assessment highlights the potential for Son Heung-min to leverage his communication skills and global fanbase to further promote MLS to a broader audience.
Reporter Jin Byung-kwon
