Ahead of the 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) season in the United States, Son Heung-min (34, LAFC) and Lionel Messi (39, Inter Miami) will officially launch their "MVP of the century" rivalry. With the season coming before the North and Central American World Cup, attention is focused on the matchup between the two superstars.
The Athletic on the 19th (Korean time) named Messi's chance of a third consecutive MVP and picked Son Heung-min as the strongest candidate to stop him in a season outlook by an expert panel. Henry Bushnell said it would be foolish to doubt Messi winning the MVP, still rating him the top contender. Paul Tenorio projected that even if Messi manages his playing time, he is averaging 1.6 attacking points per game, so even playing about 25 matches he could record more than 40 attacking points.
Son Heung-min was mentioned as the card to stop Messi's solo run. Tom Bogert and Felipe Cardenas rated Son's influence highly. Cardenas analyzed, "Son Heung-min is the only star who can match Messi's scoring ability and headline power," adding, "he joined in the middle of last season and quickly adapted to the U.S. stage with 12 goals in 13 matches." Bogert also mentioned MVP potential, saying, "While Messi manages his fitness, Son Heung-min will lead LAFC's attack full time and rank in the league's top three in both goals and assists."
Experts said the World Cup schedule in the summer could be a variable. If Messi focuses on conserving energy, there is room for Son Heung-min to earn votes by leading his team's results. Projections continued that if Son scores more than 20 goals and records numerous assists to lift LAFC into the upper ranks of the Western Conference, he could certainly shake up the MVP race.
The possibility of a head-to-head between the two stars is expected to soon become a reality. LAFC and Inter Miami will play the 2026 MLS opener on the 22nd at 11:30 a.m. at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Held in a large stadium with about 77,000 seats, this match is regarded as the biggest early-season matchup.
Son Heung-min has already warmed up ahead of the opener. In the CONCACAF away match in Honduras he recorded 1 goal and 3 assists to lead his team to a 6-1 rout, and the "Heung-bo duo" with Denis Bouanga also showed continued potency. Having joined in the middle of last season and recorded 9 goals and 3 assists in 10 regular-season matches and 3 goals and 1 assist in 3 playoff matches, he is expected to produce even more attacking points this season as he will be with the team from the start.
Inter Miami will also travel to LA as the defending champion. It is of interest whether Messi, who is recently recovering from a hamstring injury, will be able to play normally. If the head-to-head happens, it is expected to be the first watershed to gauge the direction of this season's MVP race.
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