Son Heung-min, South Korea’s all-time leading scorer and captain, has officially transferred to Los Angeles FC for a reported fee exceeding $26 million. That figure makes it an MLS-record deal, and the motivation is refreshingly practical: Son wants to get familiar with the continent that will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The tournament, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, will require teams to navigate time zones, climate shifts, and, in Mexico’s case, altitude that can turn elite athletes into weekend joggers. Playing in MLS gives Son a head start on all of it.
A World Cup rehearsal with real stakes
Son made no secret of the logic behind his move. North American travel, varying pitch conditions, and Mexico’s punishing elevation were all factors in his decision.
For a 33-year-old forward coming off years in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur, the transition is less about chasing a retirement paycheck and more about competitive preparation.
