Son Heung-min’s arrival in Major League Soccer has been one of the headline stories of the summer transfer window. It placed him alongside fellow high-profile signings Rodrigo De Paul and Thomas Müller, and so on. At 33, Son made the move from Tottenham Hotspur in what is now the most expensive transfer in MLS history. He was reportedly valued at around $26 million. The deal marked a new era for LAFC and sent ripples across the league, signaling MLS’s growing ability to attract top-tier European talent. Arriving in the same transfer period as other global football icons, Son’s signing has amplified the drama and competitiveness of the season’s second half. 

Beyond his on-field impact, fans are expecting him to boost MLS viewership worldwide. As Son landed in the USA, fans from Asia to Europe were eager to see how he would adapt to the American game. The expectations were sky-high for the South Korean superstar’s first appearance in an LAFC jersey. Yet, when the starting lineup for the match against the Chicago Fire was announced, Son’s name was absent. It left fans both surprised and curious about the decision. 

Son Heung-min made his long-awaited MLS debut for Los Angeles FC on Saturday in a 2-2 draw against the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field. After his debut game, when asked about the welcome at Chicago, he replied, “I really enjoyed it. I mean, you never ever had this welcoming from away fans, we call this. I used to play in the Premier League. When I played away grounds, they were always booing me.” Coming on as a second-half substitute, the South Korean star immediately brought energy, pace, and urgency to LAFC’s attack. 

Fans greeted his entrance with loud cheers, eager to see the club’s record $26 million signing in action. In the 77th minute, Son burst into the penalty area, where a defender clipped him. The referee initially allowed play to continue, but VAR intervened and confirmed a foul. Denis Bouanga stepped up to take the spot-kick and calmly scored in the 81st minute. And secured a valuable point for LAFC.

Although Son didn’t get on the scoresheet, his quick footwork and sharp decision-making were on the fans’ radar. Son’s brief debut hinted at the impact he could make over a full 90 minutes. LAFC fans are now eagerly waiting for his first start, hoping it will mark the beginning of a game-changing chapter in the club’s season. 

Sports Illustrated reports that no one knows when the South Korean international will play his first MLS minutes. But his home debut is set for Aug. 31 when LAFC hosts San Diego FC. Currently, LAFC will aim to build momentum in the coming weeks and push for a higher finish as the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs draw closer.

But before we get into the playoffs, let’s talk about what Son Heung-min thinks about Leonel Messi after following him in MLS.

Son Heung-min gets honest on Lionel Messi after following him to MLS

In making the high-profile switch from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur to Los Angeles FC, Son Heung-min has become the latest global superstar to embark on a new chapter in Major League Soccer. Joining the ranks of legendary players who have previously made the journey across the Atlantic, such as David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and, most recently, the iconic Lionel Messi, Son’s move highlights MLS’s growing appeal. After landing in California, Los Angeles FC’s latest star signing, Son Heung-Min, has openly admitted that Lionel Messi’s groundbreaking presence in the MLS played a significant role in influencing his decision to make the high-profile move from Tottenham Hotspur. 

Talking about the same, Son confessed, “I mean, it’s huge. I mean, we are very lucky to be watching Lionel Messi play football, and be in the same generation watching him play and scoring so many goals, and joining MLS. I think it will affect so many players.” He also added later that Messi being in MLS has “changed his mind”. 

In 2023, the Argentine superstar joined David Beckham’s team, Inter Miami, and it turned out to be a huge moment for MLS. Since then, other big names who used to play for Barcelona, like Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, have quickly followed him to Florida. Their moves have really helped put MLS on the map and made Inter Miami one of the most exciting clubs in the league. 

Recently, he also played a role in adding Rodrigo De Paul to the Miami team, which skyrocketed the excitement for the rest of the MLS season. Rodrigo De Paul, an Argentine national team player, has been known as the bodyguard of Messi. Since many star players are entering Major League Soccer, it will be interesting to see which players are in line to take a flight to the US.