Son Heung-min

1.1. Birthplace and Family Background

Son Heung-min was born on 8 July 1992 in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, South Korea. A few months after his birth, his family moved abroad, living in Canada, then France, and later New Zealand. Due to their lack of citizenship, his parents enrolled him in Mission Heights school under a cultural exchange program. Son returned to South Korea at the age of nine. He is the second son of Son Woong-jung, a retired footballer who played for the South Korea national B team and later became a manager. His mother is Gil Eun-ja. The family faced financial difficulties during his upbringing. Son belongs to the Miryang Son clan.

1.2. Father's Influence and Training Philosophy

Son Woong-jung played a pivotal role in his son's early development, implementing a distinctive training philosophy that diverged from the result-oriented methods common in South Korea. Instead of focusing on winning matches, his father emphasized the intensive development of fundamental skills such as passing, dribbling, juggling, and two-footed practice. Son Heung-min did not join traditional school football clubs, receiving direct coaching from his father at his football school. This foundational training instilled in him dedication and a strong character, prioritizing skill mastery over immediate competitive results.

1.3. Early Football Career and Move to Germany

Son began his football journey at the academy of FC Seoul, the same club where former Tottenham defender Lee Young-pyo played. In 2008, while a youth player for FC Seoul, Son served as a ball boy during a home match at Seoul World Cup Stadium. At that time, his role model was midfielder Lee Chung-yong.

In August 2008, at the age of 16, Son left Dongbuk High School's football club (formerly FC Seoul's under-18 team) and joined Hamburger SV's youth academy through the Korean FA Youth Project. After a year, he returned to South Korea to participate in the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Following the tournament, he formally rejoined Hamburger SV's youth academy in November 2009. Son's determination to succeed in Europe was evident in his efforts to learn German by watching episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants. Besides his native Korean, he is also fluent in German and English.

2.1. Hamburger SV

Son's professional career began at Hamburger SV, where he quickly made an impact despite his young age, establishing himself as a rising star in the Bundesliga.

2.1.2. Performance in the Bundesliga

Following his debut, Son signed a new deal with Hamburg through 2014. Pundits at the time compared him to Cha Bum-kun, a legendary Bundesliga forward and fellow South Korean. In the 2010-11 season, he scored three goals in 14 matches across all competitions.

During the 2011-12 pre-season, Son showed explosive form, scoring 18 times in just nine matches. After missing the opening match due to a fever, he quickly scored two goals within three matches. On 27 August 2011, he sustained an ankle injury in a 4-3 loss to 1. FC Köln, initially projected to keep him out for four to six weeks. However, his recovery was faster than expected, and he returned to action three weeks later as a substitute. Over the 2011-12 season, he made 30 appearances and scored five goals, including crucial goals against Hannover 96 and 1. FC Nürnberg that helped secure Hamburg's place in the Bundesliga.

The 2012-13 season was a breakthrough for Son. Following the transfers of key strikers Mladen Petrić and Paolo Guerrero, manager Thorsten Fink named Son a starter. On 9 February 2013, he scored two goals in a 4-1 away victory against Borussia Dortmund, earning him the "Mann des Tages" (Man of the Match) award from kicker. On 14 April, Son netted another two goals in a 2-1 win against Mainz 05. He finished the season with 12 goals in 34 matches across all competitions, becoming the fifth South Korean footballer to achieve double-digit goals in Europe. His consistent performances attracted interest from major clubs in both the Premier League and Bundesliga.

2.2. Bayer Leverkusen

Son's move to Bayer Leverkusen marked a significant step in his career, where he continued to develop his attacking prowess and impact in European competitions.

2.3. Tottenham Hotspur

Son's tenure at Tottenham Hotspur has been the most successful period of his career, transforming him into a global football superstar and a club legend.

2.3.2. 2016-18: Breakthrough and Consistency

Before the 2016-17 season, Son reportedly sought permission from Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino to leave Tottenham for more playing time. Instead, he was given an opportunity to fight for his place. On 10 September 2016, in his first appearance of the season, Son scored two goals and created a third in a 4-0 win against Stoke City. He followed this performance with another brace against Middlesbrough on 24 September, securing a 2-1 victory. Pochettino lauded Son's development, stating he was "a different person - he's more mature and he knows the league and he's settled in fantastically now."

Son continued his excellent form with his fifth goal in five matches on 27 September in the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League, scoring the only goal against CSKA Moscow. On 14 October, Son was named the Premier League Player of the Month for September, becoming the first South Korean and first Asian player to receive the award.

Following the Christmas break, Son continued his scoring run. On 12 March 2017, he scored his first Spurs hat-trick in a 6-0 FA Cup win against Millwall. During this match, he was subjected to racist abuse from a section of Millwall fans, who chanted "DVD" and "he's selling three for a fiver," referencing a stereotype towards East Asians. He scored in the 2-0 away victory at Burnley on 1 April 2017, and four days later netted in the 91st minute to give Spurs a 3-1 comeback win against Swansea. A brace at home to Watford the following weekend brought his season total to 18 goals, with 11 in the Premier League, marking his best-ever goal return. On 12 May 2017, Tottenham announced that Son had won the Premier League Player of the Month for April, his second time receiving the award, making him the only player in 2016-17 to win it twice. On 18 May 2017, Son bagged another brace away to Leicester City in a 6-1 rout. With 21 goals in all competitions, Son joined Harry Kane and Dele Alli as the first trio of Spurs players to each score over 20 goals in a season.

Son scored his first goal of the 2017-18 season in the 2017-18 UEFA Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund on 13 September 2017 at Spurs' temporary home, Wembley Stadium, which Spurs won 3-1. His first Premier League goal of the season came when Spurs beat Liverpool 4-1 at home. On 5 November 2017, Son scored the only goal in a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace. This goal brought his tally in the Premier League to 20, making him the top Asian goalscorer in Premier League history, breaking the record set by Park Ji-sung at Manchester United. On 13 January 2018, Son scored a goal and provided an assist against Everton, matching the club record set in 2004 by Jermain Defoe of scoring in five consecutive home games. On 28 February 2018, Son scored a brace and assisted Fernando Llorente as Tottenham beat Rochdale 6-1 in the fifth round of the FA Cup, though a penalty he converted was overruled by the video assistant referee. Son became the first Asian player to finish the season as a top-10 goal scorer in the English Premier League.

2.3.5. 2020-21: PFA Team of the Year and Record Partnerships

In the second Premier League match of the 2020-21 season, Son scored four goals, all assisted by Harry Kane, in a 5-2 win against Southampton. This was the first time in Premier League history that a single player scored four goals in a match while being assisted by the same teammate. In the Premier League game on 4 October, he scored a brace against Manchester United to help Tottenham win 6-1, their biggest win at Old Trafford and best result against United since 1932. Based on his performances, Son received his third Premier League Player of the Month award on 13 November 2020.

On 2 January 2021, Son scored his 100th goal for Tottenham in a 3-0 win against Leeds. On 10 February 2021, he provided three assists, but Tottenham lost 5-4 to Everton in the FA Cup. On 7 March, Son provided an assist to Harry Kane in a 4-1 win against Crystal Palace. This, their 14th combined goal effort whereby one assisted another, set a new record for the most goal combinations in a single Premier League season. After the end of the season, he and Kane were selected for the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, making Son the first Asian male player to receive this honor. On 28 January 2021, Son's counterpart on the Korean Women's National Team, Cho So-hyun joined Tottenham Hotspur on loan. With Son already at the club, it gave Spurs the rare distinction of having both the Men's and Women's Korean National Team Captains at one club.

3.1. Youth Career

Son was a member of the South Korea national team that participated at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Nigeria. He scored 3 goals in this tournament, contributing to South Korea reaching the quarterfinals.

Son was selected as one of three overage players in the South Korea under-23 squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics. He amassed two goals in the group stages, scoring against Fiji and Germany, helping his team top the group. However, South Korea was eliminated by Honduras in the quarterfinals, which meant Son missed the opportunity for a military service exemption tied to an Olympic medal.

3.2. Senior Career

3.2.1. Debut and Early Tournaments

On 24 December 2010, Son was named in the South Korea national team's squad for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. He made his debut for the national team in a pre-tournament friendly against Syria on 30 December. At the tournament finals, Son scored his first international goal during a 4-1 group stage win against India on 18 January 2011. This goal made him the youngest goalscorer in AFC Asian Cup history.

On 7 October 2011, after missing the first two matches of South Korea's 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign due to an ankle injury, Son played in a friendly against Poland and was again featured in an 11 October World Cup qualifier against the United Arab Emirates. Son's father caused a stir by publicly asking the Korea Football Association not to select his son for the national team in the immediate future, citing the need for rest and further maturation as a player. However, Cho Kwang-rae, then the South Korea head coach, stated he would continue to call up Son when needed.

Son had initially turned down the opportunity to participate in the 2012 London Olympics, opting to concentrate on his club career at Hamburger SV, though this was later clarified as a misreport. He did, however, play for the national team in the autumn of 2012 for two 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lebanon and Iran, and became a regular call-up in friendlies and World Cup qualifying matches in 2013. In the World Cup qualifier against Qatar on 23 March 2013, Son came on as a substitute in the 81st minute and scored the winning goal in the 96th minute. In June 2014, Son was named in South Korea's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

3.2.2. FIFA World Cup Appearances

Son made his World Cup debut at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. On 22 June, he scored in a 4-2 defeat to Algeria in the team's second group match. The Korea Football Association had requested Bayer Leverkusen to allow Son to play in the 2014 Asian Games, as winning the gold medal would grant him exemption from military service. Despite Son affirming his interest and the KFA's efforts, Bayer Leverkusen refused to release him, as his absence would mean the team would lose him for at least six matches.

On 13 June 2017, Son broke his right forearm after falling awkwardly during a World Cup qualifier match in Doha against Qatar. He was part of the team that saw Korea qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after a 0-0 draw against Uzbekistan on 5 September 2017. On 4 June 2018, Son was selected in the 23-man squad for the World Cup. On 23 June, Son scored a goal from outside the penalty area - a curling strike into the top corner - though his side was defeated 2-1 by Mexico in their second group stage match. On 27 June, during their final group stage match, he scored the second goal in the 97th minute in their 2-0 victory over world champions Germany, sealing their elimination. This goal was particularly notable as it was an empty-net finish after German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had ventured far into the Korean half, and was seen by some as a form of "revenge" for past racist incidents Son had faced in Germany. Son is his country's joint top scorer at World Cups, tied with Park Ji-sung and Ahn Jung-hwan on three goals.

Despite still recovering from an eye injury sustained in October 2022, Son was named to lead the 26-man South Korean squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Due to the tenderness of his injury, Son wore a protective mask in all his matches. Son did not score a goal in his nation's group stage matches but successfully led South Korea to the round of 16 for the first time since 2010, following a match-winning assist to Hwang Hee-chan in a shock 2-1 victory against Portugal on 2 December. South Korea was subsequently eliminated by Brazil following a 4-1 defeat on 5 December.

3.2.3. AFC Asian Cup Performances

Son was selected for South Korea for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia. At the quarter-final stage, he scored both of the team's goals in the 2-0 extra time defeat of Uzbekistan. In the final against the hosts, managed by future Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, he equalized in added time, but his team lost 2-1 after extra time. He was chosen as one of three forwards in the Team of the Tournament.

Son was called up as captain for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates by Paulo Bento, but missed the first two group matches due to an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur related to his call-up. He recorded an assist in the third group game against China. However, his play at the tournament was described as lethargic due to a busy schedule, and he returned to London following his team's defeat in the quarter-finals to the eventual champion Qatar.

Son played for the national team under manager Jürgen Klinsmann in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. He won a penalty and converted it into the opening goal in the second group stage match against Jordan, which ended in a 2-2 draw. He scored South Korea's first penalty, contributing to a 4-2 penalty shoot-out win over Saudi Arabia in the round of 16. His best performance in the competition came in a 2-1 quarter-final win over Australia, where he won a crucial penalty in second-half stoppage time and scored the winning goal with a free-kick in extra time. South Korea once again met Jordan in the semi-finals but failed to prevent a 2-0 defeat.

3.2.4. Asian Games Gold Medal

Son was selected as one of three overage players permitted in the under-23 team for the football tournament at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia. He captained the team in the final game of the group stage against Kyrgyzstan, scoring the only goal of the match to help the team reach the knockout rounds. He also captained the team in the knockout rounds and reached the final after the Taeguk Warriors beat Vietnam 3-1. In the gold medal match, Son assisted in both extra-time goals in a 2-1 victory over Japan, which guaranteed the entire squad's exemption from mandatory military service.

4.1. Technical Skills and Attributes

Son is a versatile player capable of playing in any forward position, including winger, second striker, and striker. He can even be deployed as an attacking midfielder or wing-back if necessary. He has stated, "I don't care where I play. The main thing is I'm in the game. I can play as a second striker or behind. Whatever the coach says, I'll do. I don't have a favorite position. I'll be anywhere and always on the throttle."

He is particularly known for his proficiency with both feet, explosive pace, positional sense, intelligent movement, close control, and clinical finishing, which make him especially effective on the counter-attack. His ability to curl shots from specific areas of the field, particularly with both feet, has led fans to dub certain spots the "Son Heung-min Zone."

4.2. Physicality and Athleticism

Son possesses impressive physicality and athleticism, including remarkable speed, stamina, and agility. These attributes allow him to be effective in various match situations, maintain high performance levels throughout games, and execute demanding runs, such as his Puskás Award-winning solo goal.

4.3. Tactical Versatility and On-field Intelligence

His tactical versatility is a key aspect of his game, enabling him to adapt to different attacking roles and tactical setups. He demonstrates strong on-field intelligence, contributing to his effectiveness as a team player, not just a goalscorer. He has drawn praise from teammates and in the media for his selfless work-rate and defensive contribution, and is highly capable of providing assists for teammates in addition to scoring goals himself.

4.4. Overall Assessment and Critical Reception

In recent years, particularly following his prolific success with Tottenham, Son has been widely considered one of the best players in the world and has often been cited as the greatest Asian footballer of all time. Sir Alex Ferguson once mentioned Son as a player he wished he could have managed, calling him and then-teammate Harry Kane "excellent players." Former German football legend Franz Beckenbauer described Son as a "super player," praising his speed, dynamism, and ability to score "beautiful goals." Former Netherlands national team coach Guus Hiddink also stated that Son had surpassed the level of a mere Premier League player, calling him a leader in the league. His unique dribbling and scoring style, particularly his solo efforts, have led to comparisons with Brazilian legend Ronaldo, earning him the nickname "Sonaldo Nazario." During his time at Bayer Leverkusen, Son had a strained relationship with teammate Hakan Çalhanoğlu. When Son moved to Tottenham in 2015, Çalhanoğlu criticized him for allegedly pursuing the transfer without Leverkusen's permission. Son reportedly countered with a German proverb, and the relationship deteriorated further when Son ignored Çalhanoğlu's farewell.

5.1. Family and Relationships

Son has stated that he does not intend to marry until he retires from football. He has publicly agreed with his father's advice that he should prioritize his career while playing at the top level. He has previously dated K-pop singers Bang Min-ah and Yoo So-young, and as of 2019, he was single. Despite his stance on marriage during his career, he is known to be fond of children.

5.2. Military Service

Son utilized the suspension of football during the COVID-19 pandemic to complete his mandatory military service for South Korea. Although he was exempted from full military service due to his gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games, he was still required to undergo basic military training. He completed a three-week basic training course with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps on Jeju Island in April-May 2020, finishing in the top five among 157 trainees.

5.3. Philanthropy and Community Impact

Son has demonstrated significant social responsibility through his charitable activities. In 2019, he donated approximately 100.00 K GBP to the victims of the Goseong Fire, which caused widespread devastation in his native Goseong County, Gangwon. In 2020, he contributed 65.00 K GBP in aid to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea. As of 2020, his estimated net worth was around 23.00 B KRW, ranking him among the top 25 wealthiest footballers globally and second among South Korean footballers. By 2023, his net worth was estimated at around 65.70 B KRW, making him the wealthiest athlete in South Korea.

He also established the Son Football Academy in his hometown of Chuncheon with his father and brother. The academy cost approximately 11.00 M GBP, with the majority of the funds coming from Son himself. This academy reflects his commitment to nurturing future football talent, particularly by focusing on fundamental skills rather than competitive wins for young players.

5.4. Hobbies and Interests

Outside of football, Son is known to be a fan of the video game League of Legends and also enjoys playing FIFA games. He has a keen interest in automobiles and is known to drive various supercars, including an Audi R8 Coupe, Maserati Levante, Land Rover Range Rover, and a Ferrari 458 Italia. Notably, he owns a black Ferrari instead of the brand's signature red, reportedly to avoid associating with the red colors of Tottenham's rival, Arsenal. In 2022, Son also launched his own fashion brand, NOS7.

Son has a unique pre-match routine where he steps onto the field with his right foot first, without touching the sideline with his left foot, and then performs a full-speed sprint followed by a jump. After scoring goals, he often performs a "camera" celebration with his hands, symbolizing his desire to "capture the moment" as a cherished memory. In 2021, the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation released a commemorative medal featuring Son Heung-min, and he was appointed an Honorary Ambassador for the Korea Tourism Organization.

6.1. Brand Endorsements

Son has numerous endorsement deals with major international brands across various sectors. He has a long-standing sponsorship deal with sportswear and equipment supplier Adidas. Since 2022, he has been a brand ambassador for the British luxury fashion house Burberry, becoming a global face for their campaigns, including the first under new chief creative officer Daniel Lee.

He was also selected as a brand ambassador for American high-end luggage brand Tumi in February 2022, and was upgraded to a global ambassador for the brand in February 2024, appearing in their global campaign for the new TUMI 19 Degree Aluminum collection. In August 2022, he was named the brand ambassador for Calvin Klein Underwear in South Korea. His other notable endorsements include partnerships with `FIFA Online series (Neowiz Games, Nexon, FIFA Online 4, FIFA Mobile, FC24, FC Online)`, `Lotte Chilsung (Gatorade, Pepsi)`, `LG Electronics`, `Hana Financial Group`, `TAG Heuer`, `SK Telecom`, `Gillette`, `Binggrae Supercone`, `CJ CheilJedang Bibigo`, `Mercedes-Benz`, `Nongshim Shin Ramyun`, `Volvo S90`, `Amazon Prime Video`, `Cartier`, `Polo Ralph Lauren`, `Lotte Ria`, `PUBG`, `Bodyfriend`, `AIA Life`, `CU`, `Mega Coffee`, `Tiger Beer`, `Lemonade`, `Gentle Monster`, and `ASUS`. He also has two officially licensed NFT collections released in collaboration with NFTStar.

6.2. Public Image and Media Representation

Son is widely viewed as a symbol of national pride in South Korea for his achievements, significantly promoting the country's image globally through his sporting success. He has consistently been listed in Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 since 2019, ranking second in 2023. In June 2022, Son received the Cheongnyong Medal, the highest order of merit for achievement in sports given to a South Korean citizen, for his contributions to football.

His presence has notably raised the profile of Tottenham Hotspur among South Koreans, with the club's marketing and social media strategy extensively catering to Korean supporters. According to a Gallup poll, Son has been the most liked sports person in Korea for eight consecutive years, from 2017 to 2024. Despite his widespread popularity, Son has also unfortunately been subjected to racist abuse from fans during games and online. He is part of UEFA's Real Scars campaign, which aims to raise awareness of online abuse and harassment faced by football players.

7.1. Team Honours

Tottenham Hotspur

• EFL Cup runner-up: 2020-21
• UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2018-19

South Korea U17

• AFC U-16 Championship runner-up: 2008

South Korea U23

• Asian Games: 2018

South Korea

• AFC Asian Cup runner-up: 2015
• AFC Asian Cup third place: 2011

7.2. Individual Awards

• FIFA Puskás Award: 2020
• Best Footballer in Asia: 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
• AFC Asian Cup Team of the Tournament: 2015, 2023
• AFC Asian International Player of the Year: 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2023
• AFC Opta All-time XI at the FIFA World Cup: 2020
• AFC Fans' All-time XI at the FIFA World Cup: 2020
• AFC Asian Cup All-time XI: 2023
• The Asian Awards Outstanding Achievement in Sports: 2016
• AIPS Asia Best Asian Male Athlete: 2018
• IFFHS Asian Men's Player of the Year: 2020, 2021, 2022
• IFFHS Asian Men's Team of the Year: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
• IFFHS Asian Men's Player of the Decade: 2011-2020
• IFFHS Asian Men's Team of All Time: 2021
• FourFourTwo Best Asian Footballer of All Time: 2024
• UEFA Champions League Set-piece Goal of the Season: 2014-15
• Eurosport Player of the Season: 2021-22
• Bundesliga Debut of the Hinrunde: 2010
• Hamburger SV All-time XI by Bundesliga: 2018
• Korean FA Player of the Year: 2013, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
• Korean FA Fans' Player of the Year: 2014, 2015
• Korean FA Goal of the Year: 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2023, 2024
• Cheongnyong Medal: 2022
• Premier League Player of the Month: September 2016, April 2017, October 2020, September 2023
• Premier League Goal of the Month: November 2018, December 2019
• Premier League Goal of the Season: 2019-20
• Premier League Golden Boot: 2021-22
• FA Cup top goalscorer: 2016-17
• PFA Fans' Premier League Player of the Month: January 2018
• PFA Premier League Team of the Year: 2020-21
• BBC Goal of the Season: 2019-20
• Fantasy Premier League Team of the Season: 2020-21, 2021-22, 2023-24
• Premier League Player of the Year by London Football Awards: 2019
• Tottenham Hotspur Goal of the Season: 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2022-23
• Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Season: 2018-19, 2019-20, 2021-22
• Tottenham Hotspur Goal of the Decade: 2020
• Asian Games Top Assist: 2018

8.1. Club Statistics

8.2. International Statistics

9.1. Cultural Icon and National Symbol

Son is widely regarded as a symbol of national pride in South Korea. His success on the international stage has significantly contributed to promoting the country's image globally. His immense popularity is reflected in public polls, where he has consistently been ranked as the most liked sports person in Korea for multiple consecutive years. His achievements are celebrated nationwide, making him a unifying figure and a source of inspiration for many South Koreans.

9.2. Influence on Football in Asia

Son's career has had a profound impact on the perception and development of football within Asia. By consistently performing at the highest levels of European football, breaking numerous records, and winning prestigious individual awards, he has elevated the profile of Asian talent on the global stage. He serves as a powerful role model for aspiring young footballers across Asia, demonstrating that players from the continent can reach the pinnacle of the sport. His success has inspired a new generation and challenged existing stereotypes about Asian footballers.

9.3. Contributions to Tottenham Hotspur

Son's contributions to Tottenham Hotspur extend beyond his impressive goalscoring and assist records. He has played a crucial role in enhancing the club's global fanbase, particularly in South Korea, where "Son-mania" has led to extensive marketing and social media strategies tailored to Korean supporters. His consistent high-level performances, leadership, and dedication have solidified his status as a club legend, making him one of the most beloved and impactful players in Tottenham's history. He is seen as integral to the club's identity and its pursuit of major honors in recent years.