Son Heung-Min opens up on playing against Lionel Messi in MLS after joining LAFC, says 'I'm very lucky'

LAFC's new signing Son Heung-Min lavished praise on Lionel Messi, expressing that he is lucky to share the pitch with the former Barcelona star. Son signed for LAFC from Tottenham Hotspur for an MLS-record fee of $26 million for a two-year deal this summer, with an option to extend it by two more years.

Son Heung-Min's admiration for Lionel Messi

The South Korean admitted that Lionel Messi was one of the biggest reasons he preferred the move to MLS. While lauding the Argentine legend for his performances for club and country, Son stated that this current generation is so lucky to witness him play.

He told ESPN after joining LAFC:

"It's huge. I mean, we are very lucky to watch Lionel Messi playing football in the same generation. Watching him play, scoring so many goals, and joining the MLS, I think it will affect so many players, and it also affects me that what he has done for his club and for his country. It just also changed my mind."

The former Tottenham Hotspur skipper added:

"I'm very lucky that I can share the same pitch with him."

Son Heung-min joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in August 2015. He played for Spurs for 10 years. In 454 matches, Son scored 173 goals and 101 assists.

He won the UEFA Europa League last season and was named as the Premier League Player of the Year for the 2018?19 season.

Romelu Lukaku names Karim Benzema his idol

Romelu Lukaku has picked Karim Benzema as his idol in place of the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Belgian striker helped Napoli to clinch the Serie A title last season, finishing the season with 14 goals and 11 assists in 38 matches across all competitions.

Benzema has achieved massive success with Real Madrid in his career. The Frenchman won multiple league and Champion League titles, as well as the Ballon d'Or during his time at Real Madrid. He left the Spanish club in the summer 2023 to join Saudi Pro League's Al-Ittihad, and currently plies his trade in the Middle East.

While speaking to La Gazzeta dello Sport, Lukaku praised Benzema for winning the Ballon d'Or after turning 32.

"Of course, we have the tools to always do better. I have a gym at my house. Messi, Ronaldo, [Robert] Lewandowski, and [Zlatan Ibrahimovic] are great, but my role model is Benzema, who won the Ballon d'Or after turning 32. You have to look forward with the right mentality. LeBron James says so too," said Lukaku.

Cristiano Ronaldo also joined Saudi Pro League in December 2022 to represent Al-Nassr, and signed a new deal with the Riyadh-based club earlier this month. On the other hand, Lionel Messi is in the final year of his contract with Inter Miami, and his future remains uncertain.