Lionel Messi to lose MLS record to Son Heung-min? South Korean former Tottenham star sparks shirt sales boom at LAFC that could top Inter Miami icon

After a decade of loyal service at Premier League side Tottenham, which ended with the club’s 17-year wait for major silverware coming to a close in the 2025 Europa League final, Son has decided to go chasing the American dream.

He has trodden a similar path to eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, who linked up with Inter Miami in the summer of 2023. He has captured the imagination of supporters in the United States and around the world.

Front Office Sports claim that 500,000 ‘Messi 10’ jerseys were sold in the month immediately after his move to Florida. Son now sits second on that list, with it claimed that he could “surpass Messi’s figures” with 1.5 million - including more than 300,000 Koreans - living in LA County.

As reported by the Korea Times, Son is also rivalling Messi in the ticket price stakes. Entrance passes change hands for inflated fees whenever the Argentine GOAT is in town, with it revealed that Son’s presence at LAFC has seen tickets for their clash with San Diego FC on September 1 soar from $300 towards $1,500.

Son is proving to be a hit on social media as well - having joined Dodgers baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani in Los Angeles - with it being suggested that former employers Spurs will be left £60 million ($81m) out of pocket on an annual basis after bidding farewell to a modern-day legend and marketing dream.