Major League Soccer legend Alexi Lalas has claimed that Lionel Messi is no longer the league’s biggest ambassador, insisting that South Korean forward Son Heung-min has already overtaken him in that role.

Son completed a sensational move from Tottenham Hotspur to Los Angeles FC this summer for a record fee of $26 million, instantly becoming one of the league’s marquee signings. His arrival comes just two years after Messi joined Inter Miami from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.

Messi, widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, has already won two trophies with Inter Miami—the Supporters’ Shield and the Leagues Cup. Yet, according to Lalas, Son’s personality and communication skills give him the edge in terms of marketability and global outreach.

Speaking on his State of the Union podcast, the former U.S. international said:

“I think that’s unquestionable, that he [Son] is going to be much more available and upfront. He speaks English, he connects to the incredible Korean population we have in the U.S. and to fans worldwide—not just Korean fans but Spurs fans, EPL fans, and football fans in general. That’s something Messi has never done. Messi has always been private, reticent, and allowed his play to do the talking.”

Lalas added that while Messi remains the sport’s biggest attraction and will continue to sell tickets, his reluctance to embrace English and step out publicly limits his role as the league’s cultural ambassador.

Son, on the other hand, has already made an impact on the pitch—winning a penalty in a 2-2 draw against Chicago Fire and providing an assist in LAFC’s 2-0 win over New England Revolution.

Opinion

Alexi Lalas raises an interesting point, and while some may view his comments as provocative, there is truth to his argument. Football in America is not just about what happens on the pitch—it’s about personality, relatability, and connection.

Messi is football’s ultimate icon, but he has always been a man of few words, preferring his magic on the ball to do the talking. That works in Barcelona, Paris, or Argentina, but the MLS is different. It thrives on storytelling, community engagement, and marketability, areas where Son’s charisma and fluency in English give him an immediate advantage.

For MLS, this could be a blessing in disguise. Having two megastars with contrasting styles of influence—Messi through sheer genius and Son through accessibility—broadens the league’s global appeal. Messi brings legacy, prestige, and instant credibility. Son brings relatability, cultural crossover, and an open personality that can draw in fans who might otherwise feel distant from the game.

At the end of the day, MLS is big enough for both. If Messi is the crown jewel, Son may well become the people’s champion—and together, they could take the league’s visibility to heights it has never seen before.