Facing his first matchup with Lionel Messi (39, Inter Miami), Son Heung-min (34, LAFC) was in sensational form.
LAFC routed Real España 6-1 in the first leg of the first round of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup on the 18th (Korean time) at Estadio Francisco Morazán in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, thanks to Son Heung-min's one goal and three assists.
Son Heung-min erupted. In the 10th minute of the first half, on a quick counterattack, he played a forward pass that split the defense and set up David Martínez's goal. Son Heung-min then found the net himself from the penalty spot in the 21st minute of the first half.
Two minutes later Son Heung-min calmly fed his soul partner Buanga for another assist. In the 38th minute of the first half, on a counterattack he created Timothy Tillman's goal. With one goal and three assists in the first half, Son Heung-min completed an assist hat trick. Son Heung-min played 62 minutes, exiting in the 17th minute of the second half.
The dream matchup of Son Heung-min versus Messi is approaching. 2025 MLS Cup champion Inter Miami CF will travel to Los Angeles FC for the opening match of the 2026 season. The venue is the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in LA. The only reason for moving to the 77,000-seat stadium is one: the "superstar showdown."
This match is a historic moment in which Messi and Son Heung-min meet for the first time on the MLS stage. Since Messi's arrival in the United States, it has been touted as the league's biggest draw, and it is a symbolic season opener held in the year North America hosts the World Cup.
Messi scored 29 goals and provided 19 assists in the 2025 regular season, then added 15 attacking points in the playoffs to lead his team to the title. The 38-year-old veteran briefly missed time with a minor hamstring injury but returned to full training on the 18th and is ready to play. He needs to build his condition ahead of the World Cup this summer.
Son Heung-min left Tottenham Hotspur in the summer 2025 transfer market to join LAFC, where he shook up the league by scoring 12 goals and providing four assists in 13 matches. He won MLS goal of the year and formed a potent attacking duo with Buanga. The 33-year-old Son Heung-min is a strong MVP candidate for the opener.
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