Son Heung-min (34, LAFC) subdued "the god of soccer" Lionel Messi (39, Inter Miami) in front of about 70,000 spectators and secured a perfect victory.
Son Heung-min started in the 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) season opener on the 22nd (Korean time) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles (LA), United States, and played a leading role in routing defending champion Inter Miami 3-0.
With this victory, Son Heung-min earned his first career win against Messi, balancing the head-to-head record at 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss. Then 75,673 fans gave the team a great gift and gave Son Heung-min a standing ovation as he was substituted out.
Before the match Son Heung-min vowed, "I will live only for today and give everything." In the matchup against Messi, which occurred 2,699 days after their UEFA Champions League group stage meeting in October 2018 when he was at Tottenham, he proved his resolve with devotion more valuable than scoring.
Facing an opponent regarded as one of the greatest in history, Son Heung-min encouraged his teammates, saying, "You have to be alert every moment." And as Son Heung-min said, LAFC maintained an airtight balance between offense and defense throughout the match.
That day Son Heung-min showed the essence of his selfless philosophy. The opening goal by David Martinez (20) in the 38th minute of the first half especially showed that. Even though it was a perfect chance to hit the net himself, he passed without hesitation to Martinez, who was in a better position.
This was Son Heung-min implementing on the field the promise he made before the match that he was not interested in the Golden Boot and would help Deni Buanga (32) enjoy it. The crowd was even more enthusiastic about the leader's choice to prioritize the team's victory over his own record.
Son Heung-min's assistance did not stop in additional goal situations. He constantly drew defenders to create space to open scoring lanes for his close partner Buanga.
Especially when Son Heung-min at the 43rd minute of the second half beat the goalkeeper with flashy footwork, his attempt to find a teammate and connect a pass to the end showed the sincerity in his interview that "MLS Cup victory is the top priority over individual awards."
After the match Son Heung-min had given everything but was full of regret for not playing the full time. Nevertheless, LAFC's "rock 'n' roll soccer" raised a brilliant season curtain with Son Heung-min at the center.
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