Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Son Heung-min already shoulder to shoulder with a club legend? ... He has matched the assist record of an MVP who scored 34 goals, drawing attention from Spanish media

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2026-10-20 18:51:07
Updated
2026-10-20 18:51:07
Son Heung-min of Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), which competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States. Newsis

[Financial News] Son Heung-min (34, LAFC), the world-class striker who once ruled the English Premier League (EPL), has completely transformed into an elite playmaker in the United States and is on the verge of making new club history.
The U.S. edition of Spanish sports outlet AS reported on the 20th (Korea time) that “Son Heung-min is close to surpassing Carlos Vela’s record,” spotlighting the imminent achievement of a major milestone by Son.
Son has racked up 7 goals and 15 assists in the MLS regular season this year, giving him 22 goal contributions. The figure that stands out above all is “15 assists.” That ties LAFC’s single-season record for most assists, putting him level with club icon Carlos Vela, who won the regular-season MVP award in 2019 with an extraordinary 34 goals and 15 assists. With just one more assist, Son will break Vela’s seven-year-old record and move into sole first place for most assists in a single season for LAFC.
Yonhap News Agency

The club, too, can barely contain its excitement over Son’s performance. After its 3-1 win over Austin FC on the 15th, LAFC announced on its official website that “Son Heung-min added two assists today to reach 15 for the season, move into the lead in MLS assists, and tie Vela’s club record for most assists.” Son put on a one-man show, contributing to all three of his team’s goals with one goal and two assists in the match.
Son’s unselfish play is especially striking for a former top scorer. AS praised the tremendous impact he has had on the team since arriving in the United States in the summer of 2025 and highlighted his remarkable chemistry with teammate Denis Bouanga. Son has directly assisted more than half of Bouanga’s 17 goals this season, setting up 9 of them. Bouanga, in turn, has assisted 3 of Son’s goals, and the two have become a formidable duo who bring out the best in each other.
Son Heung-min of Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), which competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States. Newsis

His contributions are not limited to the regular season. Son has also recorded 7 assists in the CONCACAF Champions Cup this season. With a remarkable 22 assists across the two competitions, he has established himself as the indispensable hub of LAFC’s attack.
Son, who once tore through defenses at Tottenham with explosive speed and shots off either foot, has now, in his mid-30s, evolved on the U.S. stage into a maestro who creates goals for his teammates. Having matched the 15 assists set by a club legend, Son is poised to make his next pass more than just another goal contribution: it could be a landmark that rewrites LAFC history.
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