Son Heung-min eclipses Messi and LeBron in Merchandise Sales Days After Joining LAFC
- Son Heung-min completed a record-breaking $26.5 million transfer to Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC
- The South Korean international racked up 173 goals in 454 games across all competitions during his 10-season stint at Tottenham
- The experienced forward led Tottenham to their first trophy in 17 years when they lifted the 2025 Europa League in Bilbao
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Barely a week after his £19.5 million record-breaking move from Tottenham, Heung-min Son has already made history at Los Angeles FC.
LAFC reportedly paid over £20m to sign the former Tottenham Hotspur captain as the 33-year-old signed a two-year deal, with the option of a further two years.
Source: Getty Images
According to the BBC, Son announced his departure from Tottenham on August 2 of this year, bringing an end to a decade-long spell at the club. He was in attendance on Tuesday, August 5, as LAFC defeated Mexican side Tigres UANL 2-1 in the Leagues Cup.
The transfer fee surpasses the previous MLS record of £16.5m, set earlier this year when Atlanta United signed Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough.
Son arrived in Los Angeles with high expectations, joining a team currently sitting sixth in the Western Conference. He also reunites with former Tottenham team-mate Hugo Lloris, who signed for LAFC earlier in the season.
The former Bayer Leverkusen player, who received his 2025 Europa League medal in the dressing room, netted 173 goals in 454 matches in all competitions for Tottenham.
Source: Getty Images
Son surpasses Messi, LeBron James
According to LAFC Co-President John Thorrington, via TalkSPORT, the South Korean icon’s jersey is currently the best-selling athlete shirt anywhere in the world.
Just days after completing his move to LAFC, Son Heung-min is already rivalling Lionel Messi as the biggest name in Major League Soccer.
The announcement drew surprise during a recent talkSPORT broadcast, where the scale of Son’s impact since arriving in Los Angeles was highlighted.
During the show, Andy Goldstein pressed John Thorrington for clarification about jersey sales, initially thinking he was misunderstanding.
When Goldstein asked in disbelief if Son’s shirts were selling more than Lionel Messi’s, Thorrington affirmed it. Goldstein sought further confirmation, stunned by the claim that Son’s shirt was currently the highest-selling in world football.
"What, more than Messi's?" Goldstein asked, to which Thorrington responded: "Right now, yes."
Thorrington then explained that Son was not only outselling other footballers but was surpassing all athletes globally, including Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry.
Son's farewell match
YEN.com.gh earlier reported on Son Heung-min's final game for Tottenham Hotspur before moving to Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC.
The former Bundesliga star played his farewell game for Tottenham on Sunday, August 3, against Newcastle, marking an emotional end to his time at the club. Spurs were reportedly eyeing Antoine Semenyo to replace the South Korean, but the club eventually signed Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United.
Source: YEN.com.gh
