Heung-min Son secured 49.32% of the votes
In an astonishing outcome, LAFC forward Heung-min Son has won the Major League Soccer Transfermarkt Player of the Season Award, surpassing superstar Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF. The 33-year-old South Korean finished atop a popular vote among Transfermarkt users, garnering 49.32% of the total votes, while Messi trailed with 38.13%.
Player Comparison
Los Angeles FC
Inter Miami CF
Market Value: €17.00m
Market Value: €15.00m
Position: Left Winger
Position: Right Winger
Contract until: 31/12/2027
Contract until: 31/12/2028
Full Player Comparison
This result is surprising given Messi’s incredible performance in MLS, where he scored 38 goals and provided 25 assists in 42 matches across all competitions. The Argentine also tallied six goals and seven assists during six playoff games, including two assists in the final, leading his team to its first-ever MLS Cup Trophy.
Despite Messi’s amazing season, Son’s victory reflects his immense popularity in Southern California and beyond. When LAFC signed him for a club-record €22 million last summer, he quickly set new jersey sales records.
Heung-min Son: Transfermarkt Player of the Season and Record-Breaker
In a recent interview, LAFC general manager John Thorrington revealed to TalkSport that Son’s jersey sales have surpassed not only Messi’s but also any other athlete in North America. “Since he joined LAFC, he has sold more jerseys than any other athlete in the world,” Thorrington stated.
Son’s impact was also significant during the MLS Cup Playoff run. The Vancouver Whitecaps sold out BC Place for their Western Conference semifinal against LAFC, where the matchup featured hype around both Son and Thomas Müller. It’s noteworthy that only David Beckham and Lionel Messi have drawn such large crowds in Vancouver, with a strong presence of Korean fans in attendance.
On the field, Son has delivered remarkable performances, achieving statistics reminiscent of former European stars like Müller and Messi. In 13 games across competitions, Son netted 12 goals and provided four assists. He also scored a spectacular goal in the Western Conference semifinal against the Whitecaps. While LAFC lost that match, with Son in their lineup, they are poised to be strong contenders for the MLS Cup next year, giving him a great chance to reclaim the MLS Transfermarkt Player of the Season title.
