Thank you, Heungmin! Deeney Buanga makes a new history in MLS → Competes with Lionel Messi, the god of soccer, to become the top scorer

Sep 22, 2025

Thank you, Heungmin! Deeney Buanga makes a new history in MLS → Competes with Lionel Messi, the god of soccer, to become the top scorer
사진=Getty Images via AFP-GETTY IMAGE Yonhap News



Thank you, Heungmin! Deeney Buanga makes a new history in MLS → Competes with Lionel Messi, the god of soccer, to become the top scorer
사진=Getty Images via AFP-GETTY IMAGE Yonhap News
Dnie Vuanga (LAFC) made a new history.

The Major League Soccer secretariat made a new history on the 22nd (Korea time) 'Vuanga hat-trick. For the first time, he has set a new 20-goal + a record for three consecutive seasons, he reported.

LA FC beat Real Salt Lake 4-1 in the 2025 MLS regular league home game at BMO Stadium in LA, California on the 22nd. LA FC won three consecutive games and maintained its fourth place in the Western Conference with 14 wins, 8 draws and 7 losses (50 points).




At the heart of the victory was a bouanga. He scored an equalizer in the extra time of the first half when his team was losing 0-1. There was the help of Son Heung-min. Buanga connected the ball, which Son Heung-min slightly pushed with his right foot from the left side of the penalty area, with a right foot shot to equalize. LA FC, which gained momentum, turned the game around two minutes later with Son Heung-min's come-from-behind goal. Son Heung-min caught the ball handed over by David Martinez near the right side of the penalty arc and hit a powerful left-footed shot. The ball crossed the goal line by beating the inside of the left post of Real Salt Lake.

Vuanga took over the momentum. Buanga scored a net in the 28th minute of the second half. Son Heung-min played the starting point. Son Heung-min, who received the pass from the back, immediately passed to Andrew Moran. Moran wasted no time poking a penetrating pass forward. Buanga, who penetrated the final defensive line, completed his multi-goal with a shot slightly over the goalkeeper's height in front of the penalty area after dribbling alone. Buanga completed a hat trick with a right footed shot in front of the penalty area in the 42nd minute of the second half. Buanga scored 22 goals this season and tied with Lionel Messi (22 goals).

Thank you, Heungmin! Deeney Buanga makes a new history in MLS → Competes with Lionel Messi, the god of soccer, to become the top scorer
사진=Getty Images via AFP-GETTY IMAGE Yonhap News
Thank you, Heungmin! Deeney Buanga makes a new history in MLS → Competes with Lionel Messi, the god of soccer, to become the top scorer
사진=Getty Images via AFP-GETTY IMAGE Yonhap News
MLS said on its website that `Vuanga stood shoulder to shoulder with Messi. He's on his way to the top of the scoring list. Buanga scored 20 goals in 2023 to become the top scorer. He also scored 20 goals in 2024. He has scored two hat tricks in the last three games. In the process, his chemistry with Son Heung-min improved. Buanga joined the elite group in the process. He became the sixth player in MLS history to score 20 goals over several seasons. His milestone comes just days after he overtook Los Angeles FC legend Carlos Vela as the club's all-time leading scorer. He has now scored 97 goals in 145 games for LA FC.

According to MLS, David Villa (2016 and 2017 season), Rousseff Martinez (2018, 2019 season), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (2018, 2024 and 2025 season), and Bradley Wright-Phillips (2014, 2016, 2018 season) scored 'more than 20 goals per season' over several seasons. However, Buanga is the first in three consecutive seasons.

After the game, Buanga said "I feel very good. We continue to take a very good path. I'm trying to play a crucial role in every game, scoring goals or passing"Of course, the goal is to become the top scorer. However, it is important to maintain concentration in every game and play a decisive role in the team, including attack points."






This article was translated by Naver AI translator.