Did role model Ronaldo Son Heung-min transfer to MLS because of Messi? Messi's achievement changed my mind

Aug 08, 2025

Did role model Ronaldo Son Heung-min transfer to MLS because of Messi? Messi's achievement changed my mind
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Son Heung-min had respect for Lionel Messi.

LA FC announced on the 7th (Korea time) that it will recruit Korean superstar Son Heung-min. The club signed Son Heung-min from Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League through its official website. Son has become another world star to join LA FC, joining Carlos Vela, Giorgio Chiellini, Olivier Giroud and fellow Tottenham players Gareth Bale and Hugo Lloris, he said.

Son Heung-min was asked about Messi in an interview with ESPN in the U.S. after moving to LA FC. Messi is the most talked-about player after David Beckham moved to Major League Soccer (MLS). Messi was very tempted by Saudi Arabia before deciding to go to the United States. Messi chose to go to Inter Miami after refusing to transfer to Saudi Arabia, which can guarantee the best treatment in football history that is incomparable to Cristiano Ronaldo.
Did role model Ronaldo Son Heung-min transfer to MLS because of Messi? Messi's achievement changed my mind
Messi showed his rust-proof skills after moving to Inter Miami. When Messi joined Inter Miami, the team was in the bottom of the Eastern Conference. However, Messi and his friends joined and won the trophy by revolting last place in the League Cup. He also topped the regular league in the 2024 season. Messi has recorded a monstrous report card of 24 goals and 10 assists in 31 games this season as well.




Son Heung-min said, `We are very lucky to be able to watch Messi. Born in the same era, I was lucky to see Messi play, score many goals, and even join MLS. He first expressed his respect for Messi.

"Messi's play will affect so many players. Also for me, what Messi has done for the club and the country has affected me. His accomplishments changed my mind. We are all so lucky to be able to watch him play. I'm lucky enough to run with him," he confessed that Messi's accumulated story also affected him.
Did role model Ronaldo Son Heung-min transfer to MLS because of Messi? Messi's achievement changed my mind
There is no need to explain Messi, the best player in soccer history, but Son Heung-min's impact on MLS and LA FC is also expected to be significant. LA FC paid the highest transfer fee ever for Son Heung-min. The treatment is also unconventional. Son Heung-min has become the second highest-paid player after Messi. If LA FC and Inter Miami advance to the playoffs this season and Son Heung-min and Messi meet, this will also be a huge topic.

Generally, legendary players who come to MLS are to spend the last years of their careers, but Son Heung-min can still perform well for a few more years. Son Heung-min can play until 2029 with a contract period of 2+1+1 years.




Meanwhile, Son Heung-min said Ronaldo, not Messi, is a role model throughout his career. This is because I watched Manchester United's game under the influence of Park Ji-sung when I was young.



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.