Some footballers are more than just athletes; they can transcend their team and sport and make an everlasting impact on the supporters of their team.
An athlete like Son Heung-min has not become a fan favorite for Tottenham supporters, but soccer fans across the globe. His loyalty to a struggling club, no matter how bad the year, and sticking it out until he brought hardware back to Tottenham after decades of disappointment.
He was not just respected by Premier League fans but loved by all of them; his style of play was attractive as well as his personality and loyalty. He is a player who has an international fandom that follows across the soccer world.
This fandom has landed in LA international fandom like this has only been seen once in the league’s history.
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Son Heung-min’s global audience
Heung-min’s fandom has already traveled to LAFC in support of the Korean national team on his last stop before his retirement.
Fans online dedicated to Tottenham have already announced their support of his move to the MLS and his choice to become a member of LAFC, who are in the hunt this season for the MLS Cup.
These fans have not just announced that they are going to watch and support Heung-min LA but have already purchased an MLS pass and his jersey before his first match, in which he subbed in later in the second half.
There were videos that made it rounds around the internet of the LAFC team store selling out of shirts with Heung-min’s name on the back. This caused a line of fans to wait outside the team store in hopes they would be able to grab a shirt of the team’s newest international star.
His accolades may not be as impressive as Beckham’s, and he isn’t dating one of the biggest pop singers in the world. He does have a reputation and a strong fandom from one of the most loyal fan bases in club soccer and an entire nation in South Korea that will watch wherever he goes.
What will his impact on the Field be?
Son has proved that even at his 33 years age of he is still able to keep up with the top players in the Premier League.
As his prime has come to a close, Son is still expected to compete in the MLS at a high level and work well with MLS superstar Denis Bouanga. Bouanga is a winger who occupies the same side of the pitch as Son, causing a discourse on how well they will work together.
LAFC fans have no real concern as Son has played alongside other superstars with a bigger ego and more talent than Bouanga.
Son will be able to fit into the LAFC attack and gel well with Bouanga, who has made his name as one of the most consistent and clutch scoring options off the wing.
Son’s talent will help him remain a top player as he enters his mid-30s and loses some of his speed. His skill on the ball and his in-game movement will be vital as LAFC needs the former Tottenham star if they plan on making a run for MLS Cup contention.
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CreditIMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
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