After a successful spell at Tottenham Hotspur, Son Heung-min made the surprising decision to join MLS, signing with LAFC. Upon his arrival, he gave an interview where he was asked about the GOAT of soccer. To the surprise of many, the South Korean star shared a changed perspective in the debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
In a recent social media feature for GOAL USA, Son named both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the greatest soccer players of all time. While his response remained neutral, it highlights a departure from his earlier stance on the question. Previously, Son had offered a more definitive opinion on this debate.
With this response, is showing admiration for both soccer legends. Although his playing style is much more similar to that of Cristiano Ronaldo in his early days at Manchester United, the South Korean has always shown great respect for Lionel Messi. He even spoke about the Argentine at a press conference with Adidas in 2022. “Standing next to Lionel Messi is like a dream. It is a dream to stand next to the best soccer player in the world.”
This admiration for Messi does not mean Son has changed his idol. In an interview with Sky Sports in April 2025, he stated that Cristiano Ronaldo is his soccer hero. He mentioned watching videos of Ronaldo and dreaming of playing like him. Furthermore, he praised CR7 as a role model as he remains in impressive shape while still scoring goals.
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF and Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr.
Will Son Heung-min make a bigger MLS impact with LAFC than Lionel Messi with Inter Miami?
With the arrival of Son Heung-min, many fans argue that his signing holds greater significance than the Argentine star’s move to Miami. They justify this claim by highlighting Son’s age, suggesting that at 33, he might enjoy a longer career in the MLS compared to Lionel Messi. However, the Argentine icon has already etched his name in history as Inter Miami’s all-time leading scorer, elevating the MLS’s global profile in the process.
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Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Tottenham star Son Heung-min names his favorite soccer player
Even Son acknowledged Lionel Messi’s profound influence on his decision to join the league. The Argentine star brought immense prestige to MLS as a recent Ballon d’Or winner, making comparisons seem unfair to the South Korean international. Nonetheless, Heung-min has the opportunity to carve his own legacy by becoming a pivotal player for LAFC and leading them to multiple championships.
