Son Heung-min (34, LAFC) faces a threat to his MLS title.
The 2025 MLS Cup champion Inter Miami has further strengthened its squad. On the 1st, Inter Miami announced it bolstered its attack by signing Mexican national team forward Hermann Beterbiev (27).
With this, Inter Miami has signed a third designated player who does not count against the salary cap alongside Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul.
Beterbiev's transfer fee was $15 million (about 21.8 billion won), and he signed through the 2028-29 season. The contract includes an option to extend through the 2029-30 season.
Beterbiev has also played for the Mexico national team, scoring 2 goals in 8 appearances. He proved himself as a top LIGA MX striker at Monterrey, one of the Mexican league's powerhouses, with 153 appearances, 68 goals and 15 assists. He also gained experience in Argentina with San Lorenzo, Patronato and Atlético de San Luis.
Champion Inter Miami's attacking line has completed an MLS historic superteam with Messi, Luis Suárez, Mateo Silvetti and Tadeo Allende. In particular, Beterbiev is expected to raise his competitiveness with the goal of making Mexico's roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This winter Inter Miami reinforced not only Beterbiev but also goalkeeper Dane Saint-Clair, midfielder David Ayala and defenders Sergio Reguilón·Facundo Mura·Mikael, strengthening every lineup position.
Son Heung-min's LAFC is considered a rival capable of stopping Inter Miami's bid for a second consecutive title. But Inter Miami's substantial reinforcements give them more weight.
The season opener for Son Heung-min vs. Messi in 2026 will be held Feb. 22 at the LA Memorial Coliseum. MLS officials, mindful of the star power of Son and Messi, changed the venue to the giant Coliseum, which holds 77,000 seats.
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