Superstar Son Heung-min (33, LAFC)'s market value ranks second overall in MLS.
The football specialty site 'Transfermarkt' investigated and published the current market values of MLS players. Son Heung-min's value is €17 million (about 28.9 billion won), which has dropped compared with before, but he ranks second overall in Major League Soccer.
The outlet wrote, "Korea's national team absolute ace Son Heung-min took second place. Son Heung-min, who moved from the prestigious English club Tottenham to LAFC, recorded the highest transfer fee in MLS history of $26.5 million (about 38.3 billion won). Son Heung-min lived up to his name with 9 goals and 3 assists in 10 matches. He notably achieved a hat trick in the match against Salt Lake City."
It added, "Considering that Son Heung-min was once valued at €90 million (about 153.1 billion won) in his prime, his value has fallen to one-fifth. However, given that he is 33, this is not surprising. Son Heung-min currently holds the third-highest value among players born in 1992."
What is shocking is that 'the god of soccer' Lionel Messi (38, Inter Miami) is not first. Messi was valued at €15 million (about 25.5 billion won) and ranked fourth overall. In 2025 he had 29 goals and 16 assists in 28 matches, claiming both the top scorer and top assist honors. Messi was named MVP for the second consecutive year.
The outlet praised, "Although Messi, the top of the football world, ranked fourth, he is still the best in the world compared with other players born in 1987. Karim Benzema, second among 1987-born players, is valued at €6 million (about 10.2 billion won), not even half of Messi's value. Approaching 40, Messi is still producing results."
The overall No. 1 in MLS is Riqui Puig (26, LA Galaxy) at €18 million (about 30.6 billion won). He, who was a fringe player at Barcelona, saw his value fall after moving to MLS. He recorded 13 goals and 10 assists in 29 matches in the 2024 season. After suffering an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, he did not play a single match in 2025. His value, which was €20 million (about 34 billion won) last year, fell by €2 million (about 3.4 billion won).
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