Son Heung-min makes shocking admission about Lionel Messi

Prior to LAFC's victory over Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in the MLS 2026 opener, Son Heung-min expressed straightforward opinions about the Argentine icon.

LAFC secured a convincing 3-0 win against Inter Miami in the MLS season opener, completely controlling the pace of the game and consistently exploiting gaps in the opponent’s defense. Son Heung-min played a key role in this performance by frequently pressuring Miami’s backline and causing Lionel Messi to endure a very tough evening.

Despite the one-sided result, Son still emphasized his great respect for Messi before the match, even calling him the greatest player of all time. The Korean star shared: “I came to MLS because of Messi. He has helped the league grow further, and I have always wanted to be like him.”

“Messi has influenced me greatly through all he has achieved in his career. We are truly fortunate to witness Messi play. He is the greatest player ever.” These statements also partly explain Son’s decision to leave Europe for MLS, with the presence of the Argentine superstar being a major factor.

LAFC defeated the reigning MLS champions convincingly, thanks to Denis Bouanga’s outstanding display, Son’s creativity in the final third, and Nathan Ordaz’s decisive goal that sealed the score.

Son and his teammates executed their tactics effectively. Inter Miami started confidently, trying to control possession through Messi, Silvetti, and De Paul in the starting lineup, but LAFC responded with quick and precise transitions. Son consistently created chances with his speed, while Bouanga shone brightly and was named Man of the Match.

Although he didn’t score, Son’s influence was very clear. He assisted David Martinez in opening the scoring and orchestrated many attacks, frequently combining with Bouanga, who was nearly unstoppable on the wing. Son’s movement and tactical vision kept Miami’s defense under constant pressure.

Containing Messi is always one of the toughest challenges in world football, and this game was no exception. Messi started the match but is still regaining match fitness after a recent muscle injury. Inter Miami tried to impose a possession-based style, while LAFC focused on quick counterattacks and tight defense around the Argentine superstar.

LAFC head coach Marc Dos Santos said: “We prepared for the best version of Messi, and when facing Messi near the penalty area, you have to position many players around him.” This collective defensive approach significantly limited Messi’s influence, allowing LAFC to control key moments and close the season opener with an impressive victory.

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