Son Heung-min: Attacking Monster From South Korea

Published: April 18, 2022

The discussion of top football is mostly linked with the names from Europe and South America, where this sport is super popular and gave birth to numerous talents. The Asian region looks worse compared even to Africa, but the room for manoeuvring is huge because of the huge human resources on the continent. And the path gone by Son Heung-min should give confidence to everyone who wants to play in the top European club and be there among leaders.

From time to time, countries like South Korea give notable names to global football. Thus, in the middle of 2000th, a defender Lee Young-pyo and universal midfielder Park Ji-sung, were playing in top European divisions, including substantial periods in the EPL for Tottenham and Manchester United, respectively. In parallel, the youngster born in Chuncheon began making his first steps on the youth level. As Son appeared to this world in the middle of 1992, on July 8, his entrance to the first football academy, Yukminkwan Middle School, at the age of 14, looks a bit late for a professional player. However, with a few fast switches (first to Dongbuk Middle School, then to FC Seoul), he was noted by the scouts of the German club - Hamburger SV. The Germans even decided to offer a deal for the underage footballer, who impressed them, and Heung-min moved to Europe in 2008. By the way, if you are a die-hard fan and bet on sports, we recommend you to visit the football betting sites in India and benefit from one of the trusted bookmakers.

After reaching 18, Son received wider opportunities and started playing for the second but senior team of Hamburger SV. However, his speed, technique, and hard-working attitude to work forced the coaches of the main team to take the guy to the main squad only after six games on the secondary level. With 73 games in almost three seasons and 20 goals, a stronger German club, Bayer Leverkusen, noted the attacker and paid 10 million euros for the South Korean talent.

The black and red jersey gave a stable opportunity for Son to play in the European competitions and with better partners. Having great footwork and a good shot from both legs, Heung-min was effective on both flanks of attack and scored 21 goals in 62 games for Bayer 04. Such universality made him one of the most attractive options to sign and receive a great player, and Tottenham used it in 2015, paying about 30 million euros for the Asian winger.

The period in Spurs lasts for already seven years, and there are no signs that it will interrupt soon. In Tottenham, Son received the status of the leading player in the attack (after Harry Kane, of course), who can be effective in diverse roles and positions. Thus, the absence of Kane as the main striker usually means that Heugh-min will replace him in the central position. With Harry in the squad, the attacker from South Korea is still an undeniable choice in the support role or on the flank. It led to great stats in the Spurs' jersey, as Son scored 87 goals in 225 games in the league only.

The period in England turned Son into a popular figure from diverse perspectives. Thus, he has taken a position in the top-10 of South Korean most popular figures and celebrities since 2019. In the EA Sports simulator FIFA, Heung-min is often called "Sonaldo," which is linked to the popularity and effectiveness of Cristiano Ronaldo, while the Asian footballer is cheaper to buy in the game. This was noted even by Jose Mourinho (when he was a coach in the Spurs) when he called the South Korean "Sonaldo Nazario," comparing the attacking effectiveness of Son with the legendary Brazilian striker, Luis Nazario de Lima Ronaldo.

The popularity and success of Heung-min are also mirrored in his bank accounts and net worth. His recent salary is 8 million euros per year, while he also earns from endorsements. Thus, the net worth of Son is estimated at the level of 25-30 million dollars. By the way, predictions for football matches can be viewed at the specified link.

Heung-min's playstyle is absolutely unique and plays an essential role in his image. The South Korean footballer confirmed the attitude to Asian players as hard-working ones. At the same time, Son is a great attacking universal option, with great dribbling, speed, and powerful shot from both legs. His height of 1.83 makes him a rather athletic player who can be effective in the fights against defenders. Sonaldo makes great advertising for the whole Asian football when playing in the English Premier League, so the top clubs should pay more attention to the developing football markets.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : tottenhanhotspur.com