Son Heung-min goes to the US Vocational League, who can take over the "No. 1 Asian"? Data reveals the five major candidates

When Son Heung-min signed his name on the Los Angeles FC contract, an era belonging to Asian football quietly turned the page. The 33-year-old South Korean striker set a record for the 26 million USD transfer fee, but also left a suspense: Who will take over the scepter of "Asian No. 1" and become the new Asian symbol in European football?

Sun Heung-min's European career can be regarded as a textbook for "grassroots counterattack". From Hamburg youth training to Leverkusen, to Tottenham's absolute core, he spent 17 years writing many records that Asian players could not reach: 222 goals and 115 assists in the Premier League, the third scorer in the history of Tottenham Hotspur team, and 23 goals in a single season won the Premier League Golden Boot; the Puskas winner, the highest ranking of the Golden Ball Award, with a peak value of 90 million euros; the national team level: 50 goals in 131 games, the second scorer in the history of South Korea.

Behind these numbers is a height that Asian players have never reached in mainstream European leagues. As foreign media commented: "Son Heung-min did not rely on his commercial value to gain the position, but conquered the picky European fans with his pure football ability."

Candidate Picture Book: Who is qualified to touch the throne?

Sanzao (Brighton): The extreme challenge of the "Magician" on the wing Current data: Germany's turnover is worth 40 million euros, with 24 goals and 20 assists in 108 games in the past three seasons; Advantages: Top Dribbing Ability in the Premier League, Average of 2.3 times this season, close to Son Heung-min's peak data; Bottleneck: The age of 28 is approaching the technical finalization period, and the threshold of 20+10 in a single season is difficult to break through. Conclusion: Sanzao is the closest player to Son Heung-min in active service, but lacks continuous explosive power and is more likely to become a "top supporting role" rather than an "absolute protagonist".

Kubo Kenei (Real Sociedad): The contradiction between talent and system. Current data: Germany has turned 30 million euros, with 23 goals and 18 assists in 137 games in the past three seasons; Advantages: The 24-year-old golden age has become the most expensive player in Asia with a net worth of 60 million euros; Dilemma: Playing the "core of the organization" rather than a "terminator" at Real Sociedad, and tactical positioning limits its data limit. Conclusion: Kubo Jiane needs to transfer to a team that emphasizes offense and releases offensive instinct, otherwise he may become a midfield artist with "beautiful data but limited influence".

Li Gangren (Paris Grande): The halo and shackles of the Champions League champion. Current data: Germany's turnover is worth 30 million euros, with 7 goals and 6 assists in 49 games last season; Advantages: He won the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain at the age of 24, and has experience in major competitions; Hidden dangers: Not the absolute main force. Conclusion: Li Gangren's future depends on whether he can get rid of the role of "green leaves", but the locker room ecology in Paris may allow him to continue waiting for opportunities.

Potential stocks: Husanov (Manchester City) and Kim Min-jae (Bayern). Husanov: The 21-year-old central defender of Uzbekistan, Germany is worth 35 million euros, Manchester City is focusing on training, but they need to get stable playing time under Guardiola; Kim Min-jae: The 30-year-old central defender of Bayern has proven that he is suitable for the top league, but the commercial value and influence of defensive players are naturally weaker than those of offensive players. Conclusion: The two are more likely to become the "kings of the subdivided fields" than Son Heung-min's national idol.

But more likely: "Asia's No. 1" will become a false proposition. When Son Heung-min leaves Europe, the flag effect of Asian football in the five major leagues will inevitably decline. The future "Asian representative" may no longer be a superstar, but a group of "role players" who have gained a foothold in their respective positions - this may be a more rational expectation.