Son Heung-min trails only Messi in MLS jersey sales again

Son Heung-min of Los Angeles FC finished second in Major League Soccer jersey sales for the 2026 season.

Lionel Messi of Inter Miami took the top spot for the fourth consecutive year.

The MLS Secretariat published the top 10 best-selling jerseys on its official website on November 4, 2026.

The rankings were based on sales recorded through MLSstore.com from January 1 to October 30.

The league did not disclose exact sales figures for any player.

Son joined LAFC in August 2025 after leaving Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League.

His jersey sold out shortly after he signed with the club.

He quickly became LAFC's biggest star.

In 2025, his first season in MLS, Son also finished second behind Messi in jersey sales.

The 2026 ranking marks the second consecutive year he has held that position.

Messi has led the league in jersey sales every season since he joined Inter Miami in 2023.

His streak now spans four seasons.

Behind Son, Thomas Müller of the Vancouver Whitecaps ranked third.

Robert Lewandowski of the Chicago Fire placed fourth.

Antoine Griezmann of Orlando City finished fifth.

Cavan Sullivan of the Philadelphia Union took sixth place.

Denis Bouanga of LAFC ranked seventh.

Luis Suárez of Inter Miami came in eighth.

Hany Mukhtar of Nashville SC placed ninth.

Rodrigo De Paul of Inter Miami rounded out the top ten.

Son's sustained popularity draws attention because he outranked several players who spent years as global stars on European stages.

Müller, Lewandowski, Griezmann, and Suárez all built their reputations in top European leagues before moving to MLS.

Son's box-office power has been evident since his arrival in Los Angeles.

Asian fans, including a large contingent from South Korea, have driven significant demand for his jersey.

His presence in the league has helped MLS expand its international audience.

The league's decision not to release specific sales numbers leaves some questions open.

Without exact figures, it is impossible to know how close Son's total was to Messi's.

It is also unclear how far ahead Son was from Müller in third place.

MLS typically keeps individual sales data confidential for commercial reasons.

The ranking itself, however, confirms that Son remains the second-most popular player in the league by this measure.

Messi's continued dominance reflects his global stature and the sustained interest he has generated since joining Inter Miami.

The Argentine World Cup winner has drawn massive crowds and media attention to every match he plays.

Son's ability to hold second place against that backdrop is notable.

He is 34 years old and in the later phase of his playing career.

Yet his jersey sales show no sign of declining.

LAFC has benefited from his star power both on and off the field.

The club's merchandise revenue has grown since his arrival.

Match attendance and television viewership have also seen boosts linked to his presence.

Son's performance on the pitch in 2026 contributed to his continued popularity.

He scored regularly and played a key role in LAFC's campaign.

His work rate and professionalism have been praised by coaches and teammates.

The ranking also highlights the broader trend of major European stars moving to MLS later in their careers.

Messi, Müller, Lewandowski, Griezmann, and Suárez all made the transition.

Each brought an existing fan base with them.

Son's case is slightly different because he came directly from the Premier League, where he had already built a massive following.

His move to LAFC was seen as a major coup for the league.

The Korean star had spent a decade at Tottenham before deciding to leave.

He is considered one of the best Asian players in football history.

His jersey sales in MLS reflect that legacy.

The 2026 season was the second full season for Son in the United States.