A day after revealing his decision to quit Tottenham Hotspur, South Korean football legend Son Heung-min said an emotional goodbye to his home fans on Sunday. The day before, Tottenham Hotspur announced Heung Min’s departure.
Final Match Appearance on Home Soil
Before being substituted for a standing ovation and heartbreaking farewell, Son, who is 33 years old, started for Spurs in a preseason friendly against Newcastle United at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. He played for 65 minutes before being taken out of the game.
The stadium, which had a capacity of 66,000 seats, was crowded with almost 64,000 spectators, many of whom were wearing Son’s famed “Son 7” shirt. The weather was humid and wet.
Tribute Video Plays During Lap of Honor
Banners and chants were displayed throughout the stands as a way to pay honor to the star’s journey with the London club that spanned ten years.
Before leaving the field, where he was crying, Son handed over the armband that had been worn by the captain. He congratulated his colleagues, coaching staff, and even Newcastle players on his career. He hugged all of them.
At the same time as Son was performing a lap of honor, waving and blowing kisses to fans, the stadium played a taped tribute film. As the match progressed, Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank stated that it was “most likely” Son’s final game with the club.
A Historic Captaincy and European Triumph
If the rumor is true, Son will leave Tottenham as one of the club’s greatest players of all time. Since he joined the club in 2015, he has made 454 appearances and scored 173 goals, which places him in fifth place in the club’s history.
In the 2021-22 season, Son became the first and only Asian player to be awarded the Premier League Golden Boot. He scored 23 goals at the time of his victory.
Son was also the captain of Tottenham, who won the UEFA Europa League title in May of this year, making it the club’s first trophy in seventeen years. Only thirteen other players have ever won a trophy while serving as captain for the club, and he is one of them.
The goodbye encounter was Tottenham’s third preseason tour to South Korea in the past four years. Still, it was undoubtedly the most emotionally laden due to Son’s approaching departure.
Throughout the entirety of the game, fans continued to vocalize their admiration for Sonny by chanting, “Nice One, Sonny!” even after another player replaced him.
Final Game Without a Goal, But All Eyes on Son
Although Son did not score during the game, his presence was the centrepiece of the event, with fans focusing on the fact that they were able to watch their hometown hero wear the Spurs shirt for the final time.
The club will continue its preseason run with meetings against Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain; however, it is currently unknown whether Son will be able to participate in these matches.
As Son brings an essential chapter to a conclusion, he leaves behind a legacy that has had a profound impact on the way Asians are represented in the highest levels of European sport.
