10 Facts About South Korean Footballer Son Heung Min
Get to know global figure and Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung Min, who is making waves in the FIFA World Cup 2022 matches
Professional football player Son Heung Min is a superstar athlete in the making. His acts in the football scene were fated to take place as he transitions from being a sports club sensation to being one of the world’s outstanding showstoppers in the field of football.
From his club careers in Hamburger SV and Bayer Leverkusen to his ascent to the highly-acclaimed English football team Tottenham Hotspur, the famed sportsman seems destined to sweep the football field with his timeless talent. Now a "Son-sational" name in the international sports industry, Son Heung Min is arguably the greatest Asian footballer in Premier League history. The athlete and "Golden Son" has almost 10 million followers on Instagram and is even tapped as the face of brands like Gentle Monster, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Tumi, and Tiger Beer.
The Tottenham Hotspur forward is revered like a religious icon, making him an important figure in his team. In the current World Cup tournament, he is faring in matches and is aiming to make it to the finals as the second footballer from South Korea to score at least a single win at three world cup championships.
From K-drama stars and K-pop idols, it's interesting to note that Korean athletes are now getting the spotlight they deserve, too, and are becoming more known.
Get to know global figure and Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung Min through the fast facts in the gallery below:
Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery
1. Son Heung Min captains his country’s National Football Team.
As a global force who gives his country pride and common spirit, soccer star Son Heung Min is widely celebrated as the team captain of South Korea’s National Football Team. His worldwide stature is testament to his skills as an athlete, allowing him such a seat.
Photo Credit: @hm_son7
2. His father Son Woong Jung is a retired football player
Son Woong Jung previously played for Sangmu FC, Hyundai Horang-i, and Ilhwa Chunma. While the former team forward is no longer working for a league, he is now the coach of the football club Son Football Academy, which is founded and funded by Son Heung Min.
Photo Credit: https://www.donga.com/
3. He pursued his sports-oriented dreams at the age of 16.
Coming from a football-loving family with a football player for a father, Son is always meant to arrive at the soccer stadium. His dad trained him early on, enforcing discipline and training sessions for his son. When Son Heung Min was 16 years young, he dropped out of school for his sports-oriented dreams.
Photo Credit: Boris Streubel/Getty Images
4. Son Heung Min sustained a serious fracture prior to the football World Cup.
Son Heung Min’s followers were flat-out worried when the South Korean football star suffered from an orbital socket fracture at the UEFA Champions League, shortly before the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 began.
Photo Credit: @hm_son7
5. He is friends with famous Korean actor Park Seo Joon.
The soccer Son-sation is known to have a tight-knit friendship with famed South Korean actor Park Seo Joon. The two even talked about their closeness in Son Heung Min’s documentary called “Son-sational.”
Photo Credit: @hm_son7
6. Hollywood star Tom Holland is a huge fan of the footballer.
Son Heung Min is indeed a sports icon, and many fans are much-invested in his international career, but Tom Holland being one of his followers is an overwhelming case.
Photo Credit: @hm_son7
7. Son Heung Min earned the nickname “Sonaldo” for his efforts in the 2019 Premier League.
When he scored a brilliant solo goal in a 2019 Premier League game where Tottenham beat Burnley, Son stole the show. As the man of the match, he outpaced some of his opponents, affording comparison to the acclaimed football force Cristiano Ronaldo.
Photo Credit: @hm_son7
8. Son Heung Min previously dated South Korean singer and Girl’s Day member Minah.
In 2014, it was reported that Son Heung Min and Minah were in a dating relationship. Fans were surprised to have found out that despite Son Heung Min’s schedule, he made it possible to engage in this partnership, although their romantic affair did not last long.
Photo Credit: @bbang_93
9. He is the first Asian footballer to have acquired the Golden Boot award.
In May 2022, Son Heung Min accepted a monumental award. He is the first Asian football player to have been presented the Golden Boot prize in recognition of his prowess in the sport after scoring 23 goals in the Premier League games.
Photo Credit: @hm_son7
10. His signature pose is symbolic.
Each time Son Heung Min scored, he would strike a trademark pose facing the photographer. Every goal he makes is a great core memory to capture, so he imitates the viewfinder, symbolizing how he intends to value and preserve the priceless moment.
Photo Credit: @hm_son7
Lead photos from @hm_son7
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