LAFC Coach Compares Son Heung-min's Goal Drought to Messi and Ronaldo

Marc Dos Santos sees Son's role evolving, but expects the South Korean star to regain his scoring touch.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:04pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a soccer player in motion, their body broken down into sharp, angular shapes and planes of vivid color, conveying the dynamic and changing nature of the sport.Dos Santos sees Son Heung-min's role evolving, just as other soccer greats have adapted their games over time.Los Angeles Today

Los Angeles FC head coach Marc Dos Santos has drawn comparisons between Son Heung-min's current goal drought and the career evolutions of soccer superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Dos Santos acknowledged Son's struggles this season, but expressed confidence that the South Korean forward will rediscover his scoring form.

Why it matters

Son Heung-min is one of the top attacking players in world soccer, so his recent lack of goals has drawn attention. Dos Santos' comments provide insight into how the LAFC coach views Son's role and development, which could impact the team's tactics and Son's future performance.

The details

Dos Santos explained that Son has transitioned from being more of a winger earlier in his career to now playing a more central role, similar to the positional changes seen with Messi and Ronaldo over the years. The LAFC coach noted that Son's shots have been getting blocked more often this season, but believes the South Korean is still hungry to score goals and will regain his form.

  • Son has just one goal so far in the 2026 season, including his appearances with the South Korea national team during the March international break.

The players

Marc Dos Santos

The head coach of Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC (LAFC).

Son Heung-min

A South Korean professional soccer player who plays as a forward for LAFC and the South Korea national team.

Lionel Messi

An Argentine professional soccer player who plays as a forward and is considered one of the greatest players of all time.

Cristiano Ronaldo

A Portuguese professional soccer player who plays as a forward and is considered one of the greatest players of all time.

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What they’re saying

“There's his role with LAFC and his role with the national team that are kind of similar. He went from almost in his early career being a winger, to now being more central, that happens a lot with players getting at a certain age, it's normal.”

— Marc Dos Santos, LAFC Head Coach

“You saw it even with Cristiano Ronaldo, playing more wide and now more central. You saw at some stage in his career with Gareth Bale. You see it a lot with Messi, a lot in his big years in Barcelona drifting from the right side inside, and now being more central. And it's happening the same with Sonny.”

— Marc Dos Santos, LAFC Head Coach

“Last year, sometimes when he would beat a player, he would get the extra half yard to release the shot. And now it seems that a lot of shots are being blocked.”

— Marc Dos Santos, LAFC Head Coach

“He wants to score, he wants to do well... I know that at the right moment, he's going to be ready. I trust him, I know he performs well.”

— Marc Dos Santos, LAFC Head Coach

What’s next

Son Heung-min's next opportunity to end his goal drought will come this Saturday, when LAFC host Orlando City.

The takeaway

Dos Santos' comments suggest that Son Heung-min's role and playing style are evolving, similar to how other soccer superstars like Messi and Ronaldo have adapted over the course of their careers. While Son is currently in a goal-scoring slump, the LAFC coach remains confident that the South Korean forward will regain his scoring touch.