Son Heung-min creates a heated race with Messi in American football

South Korean star Son Heung-min has made a big impression just a few months into his time in American football, helping Los Angeles FC beat Austin FC 2-1 in their opening match of the MLS Cup.

Son Heung-min competes fiercely with Messi

In the latest match on October 30, Son Heung-min did not score, but he was the one who created the key assist that helped teammate Ordaz score in the 79th minute, bringing an important victory for Los Angeles FC against Austin FC with a score of 2-1 in the opening match of the first round of the MLS Cup play-off.

Son Heung-min plays brilliantly, creating a heated race with Messi in American football

Photo: Reuters

Son Heung-min has played a total of 11 matches for Los Angeles FC, scoring 9 goals and providing 4 assists for his teammates. The 33-year-old is helping his new team gain a big advantage in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs in the Western Conference, with the second match against Austin FC at 8:45 a.m. on November 3 and the last match at home at 0:00 a.m. on November 9.

If they qualify, Son Heung-min and Los Angeles FC could face Thomas Muller's Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Muller scored twice to help Vancouver Whitecaps FC beat FC Dallas 3-0 in the first round and also has the advantage of advancing in the remaining two matches on November 2 and November 8.

Los Angeles FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC are both heavy favorites to win the MLS Cup Western Conference playoffs. If either team wins, they could face Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in the MLS Cup final on December 7.

Messi scored a brace to help Inter Miami win 3-1 against Nashville SC in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs. The two teams will play the second match at 6:30 on November 2 at Geodis Park. If they continue to win, Messi and his teammates will advance without having to play the third match.

Messi just scored a double to help Inter Miami beat Nashville SC 3-1 on October 25.

Photo: Reuters

Messi, after signing a new contract extension with Inter Miami until December 2028, continues to be the highest-paid player in MLS (American professional football), with a base salary just officially announced at 20.45 million USD (more than 538 billion VND). But behind, Son Heung-min has jumped to 2nd place with 11.15 million USD (more than 293 billion VND).

Son Heung-min's salary has surpassed the previous salaries of Messi's teammates at Inter Miami, including Sergio Busquets ($8.78 million), or Jordi Alba ($6 million). Busquets and Alba will also retire after the 2025 season ends.

Meanwhile, two players, Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami) and Thomas Muller, are not on the list of highest paid players in MLS this year, as they receive only 1.5 million USD and 1.44 million USD respectively.

All because currently De Paul and Muller are both playing on loan until the end of 2025, then from the 2026 season they will play as official Designated Players (DP) and will receive their actual salaries many times higher than now.

Inter Miami is also the team with the highest total salary fund in MLS at 48.97 million USD, far higher than the second-ranked team Los Angeles FC with 30.1 million USD. In particular, Messi's salary alone is higher than the total salary fund of 20 out of 30 MLS teams.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/son-heung-min-tao-cuoc-dua-nong-voi-messi-tai-bong-da-my-185251031102720545.htm