Son Heung-min (33, LAFC) has dominated the U.S. market in just five months.
The soccer site Transfermarkt surveyed and announced the current market values of MLS players. Son Heung-min's value was 17 million euros (about 28.9 billion won), ranking second overall in MLS.
The shocking fact is that No. 1 is not "the god of soccer" Lionel Messi (38, Inter Miami). Messi was rated at 15 million euros (about 25.5 billion won), placing only fourth overall in MLS. The MLS overall No. 1 was Riqui Puig (26, LA Galaxy) at 18 million euros (about 30.6 billion won).
Messi's skills are still the best. Messi scored 29 goals and had 16 assists in 28 matches in 2025, sweeping the scoring and assist titles. Messi was named MVP for a second consecutive year.
The outlet praised, "Although Messi, the top of the soccer world, ranked fourth, he is still the world's best compared with other players born in 1987. Karim Benzema, second among those born in 1987, is valued at 6 million euros (about 10.2 billion won), not even half of Messi's value. Messi, who will soon turn 40, is still producing results."
When evaluating a soccer player's value, future potential—how much more they can improve—is considered as much as current ability. No matter how much Son Heung-min dominates the U.S. stage, his age of 33 was a stumbling block.
But Riqui Puig, who ranked first, did not play a single match this season due to an anterior cruciate ligament rupture. It is contradictory that a player whose sure comeback is uncertain was still evaluated as the market value No. 1.
Transfermarkt explained, "Considering that Son Heung-min was valued at 90 million euros (about 153.1 billion won) in his prime, his price has fallen to about one-fifth. But given that he is 33, this is not surprising. Son Heung-min maintains the third-highest value among players born in 1992."
But Son Heung-min's transfer fee is the highest. The outlet said, "Son Heung-min, who moved from England's prestigious Tottenham to LAFC, recorded MLS's highest-ever transfer fee of $26.5 million (about 38.3 billion won). Son Heung-min proved his worth with 9 goals and 3 assists in 10 matches. He notably scored a hat trick against Real Salt Lake," recognizing his value.
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