Son Heung-Min Wins 2025 MLS Goal of the Year Over Lionel Messi

The 2025 MLS season has highlighted Lionel Messi and Son Heung-min as two of the league's biggest stars, with Messi leading in salary and performance while Son earned the Goal of the Year award. Messi tops the MLS salary list with a base salary of $12 million and total compensation of $20.4 million, reflecting his value to Inter Miami, where he set records and won the MLS MVP award in 2024. Son Heung-min, who joined LAFC mid-season from Tottenham Hotspur, impressed with nine goals and three assists in just 10 matches, earning him the prestigious MLS Goal of the Year for a spectacular free kick against FC Dallas. Despite Messi's stunning solo goal nomination, fans voted for Son's free kick as the season's best strike. Messi remains a finalist for the 2025 Landon Donovan MLS MVP award after leading Inter Miami to its best regular season, while Son's arrival has sparked excitement and strong performances for LAFC. Both players have significantly impacted the league's popularity and competitive landscape, showcasing elite talent in MLS.