South Korean football star Son Heung-min is expected to surpass Lionel Messi’s shirt sales record in the United States, according to Goal.com. The outstanding striker has left Tottenham Hotspur after 10 years to join MLS club Los Angeles FC on August 6, 2025, signing a two-year, $265 million contract. Amid growing football interest in the US, the 33-year-old South Korean national team captain is also projected to challenge the shirt sales dominance of Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi.
Front Office Sports reported that Messi’s Inter Miami No. 10 jersey sold over 50,000 units in its first month after the 38-year-old former Barcelona and PSG star joined MLS on July 15, 2023. In contrast, Son’s Los Angeles FC jersey has already surpassed 300,000 sales, with predictions it could reach 1.5 million this month.
Beyond challenging Messi’s shirt record, Son is also competing with him in terms of ticket prices. The Korea Times reported that while Inter Miami match ticket prices consistently rise with Messi’s presence, Son’s arrival at Los Angeles FC is similarly driving up demand. For instance, the Los Angeles FC vs. San Diego FC match on September 1 is expected to see prices surge from $300 to $1,500.
Meanwhile, some American media suggest that by Son Heung-min deciding to leave Tottenham, the London club has lost an estimated $60 million (or $81 million) in potential sponsorship and contract revenue linked to the South Korean star.
