Higher value than superstar Son Heung-min (34, LAFC)?
The football site 'Transfermarkt' surveyed and released the current market values of MLS players. The MLS overall No. 1 is Riqui Puig (26, LA Galaxy) at €18 million (about 30.6 billion won).
'Football god' Lionel Messi (38, Inter Miami) is not No. 1. Messi was ranked fourth overall with a valuation of €15 million (about 25.5 billion won). Messi led the league in goals and assists in 2025 with 29 goals and 16 assists in 28 matches. Messi was named MVP for a second consecutive year.
The outlet praised, "Messi, the top of the football world, placed fourth, but compared with other players born in 1987 he is still the best in the world. Karim Benzema, second among those born in 1987, 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 unfortunate thing is that Puig was ruled out for the 2026 season as well. LA Galaxy officially announced on the 4th that Puig had undergone reconstruction surgery again on his left knee anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and said he is expected to return to the team in time for the start of the 2027 season. The rehabilitation and return schedule suffered setbacks, making it virtually inevitable that he will miss the first half of the 2026 season.
Puig suffered a severe injury on Nov. 30, 2024, when his ACL tore during the Western Conference final against the Seattle Sounders. At the time, he continued to play for more than 30 minutes despite feeling discomfort and helped lead his team to a 1-0 victory, but later was ruled out for the season after detailed examinations and an MRI. He missed the 2024 MLS Cup final because of the injury and missed the entire 2025 season.
Son Heung-min's value was €17 million (about 28.9 billion won), placing him second overall in the MLS behind Puig. The outlet wrote, "Son, the absolute ace of the Korean national team, took second place. Son, who moved from English powerhouse Tottenham to LAFC, set an MLS record transfer fee of $26.5 million (about 38.3 billion won). Son lived up to his name with 9 goals and 3 assists in 10 matches. He notably recorded a hat trick against Real Salt Lake."
It added, "Considering that Son was valued at €90 million (about 153.1 billion won) in his prime, his market value has fallen to about one-fifth. But given that he is 33, that is not surprising. Son maintains the third-highest value among players born in 1992."
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