After establishing himself as a legend at Tottenham, Son Heung-min made the bold move to MLS, taking on the mantle of franchise player at LAFC following Olivier Giroud’s exit. In his first league start, the South Korean star did not find the back of the net but made an immediate impact by notching his first assist. His performance drew instant comparisons to Lionel Messi’s headline-grabbing debut with Inter Miami back in 2023.
Despite Lionel Messi scoring in his debut with Inter Miami against Cruz Azul of Liga MX in the 2023 Leagues Cup, the Argentine superstar could not replicate his scoring magic in his first MLS start. Inter Miami faced Nashville SC on August 30th of 2023, and the game concluded in a scoreless draw. In contrast, the LAFC star delivered a crucial assist in his own first MLS start.
Just over two years into his tenure with Inter Miami, Lionel Messi has elevated them to the pinnacle of competitiveness. The team transformed from a last-place finisher in the Eastern Conference to topping the league standings last season. Additionally, his influence propelled them to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, where it advanced to the quarterfinals before meeting its match against PSG.
Not only has Lionel Messi improved Inter Miami’s competitiveness, but he has also become the team’s all-time leading scorer with 59 goals in 71 games. With his contribution, the Herons have claimed the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2023-24 Supporters’ Shield, the team’s first titles in its history. For this reason, Son Heung-min still faces significant challenges if he hopes to match or surpass the impact that the Argentine superstar has made since his arrival in MLS.
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami
How many goals does Son Heung-min need to become LAFC’s all-time top scorer?
Son Heung-min’s arrival in Los Angeles has been nothing short of revolutionary, as he has even broken a record held by Lionel Messi in Major League Soccer. Although he has already made his debut, he has yet to score his first goal in the league. However, if the South Korean wants to become a legend at LAFC, he will need to break the club’s all-time scoring record held by Carlos Vela.
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The Mexican not only became the first franchise player in LAFC history, but also the franchise’s all-time leading scorer with 93 goals in 189 games. This presents a tough task for the 33-year-old South Korean. Yet, Son Heung-min has already become the top foreign scorer in Tottenham’s history with 173 goals in 454 games, indicating that surpassing such records is not beyond his reach.
