https://www.scmp.com/rss/508537/feed The latest news on Son Heung-min, South Korean professional footballer, including sporting news and updates. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A woman who blackmailed South Korean football superstar Son Heung-min was handed a four-year jail sentence on Monday, Yonhap News TV reported. “The Seoul Central District Court gave a four-year term for the defendant surnamed Yang, who is in her 20s, charged with blackmailing,” the broadcaster said. Another defendant, a man identified as Yong, was given a two-year term for attempted blackmail, Yonhap said. The two have been in custody since May. Yang was accused of extorting 300 million won... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3335576/woman-who-blackmailed-south-korean-football-star-son-heung-min-jailed-reports?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3335576/woman-who-blackmailed-south-korean-football-star-son-heung-min-jailed-reports?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Dec 2025 06:35:00 +0000 Tom Bell Tom Bell Nine Asian and Pacific nations discovered their 2026 Fifa World Cup opponents when the tournament draw took place in Washington on Friday, while the Saudi-based Cristiano Ronaldo learned he could share a last dance of sorts with Lionel Messi. Japan, Asia’s highest-ranked team at world No 18, are expected to trouble the seeded Netherlands at the finals next June and July in the United States, Canada and Mexico. But the theoretically weaker sides joining them in Group F are Tunisia, who qualified... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3335450/fifa-world-cup-draw-sets-ronaldo-v-messi-japan-set-shared-goal-winning?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3335450/fifa-world-cup-draw-sets-ronaldo-v-messi-japan-set-shared-goal-winning?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Dec 2025 07:50:50 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Son Heung-min has been named Best Footballer in Asia for 2025 to claim the crown for a remarkable 10th time. The South Korean beat his compatriot Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain into second place, with Al-Nassr’s Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in third. The award was established in 2013 and is open to players from Asia and those who ply their trade on the continent. A panel of 64 Asian football experts voted in the latest edition, which considered performances from August 16 last year... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3328763/son-heung-min-beats-cristiano-ronaldo-win-asian-award?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3328763/son-heung-min-beats-cristiano-ronaldo-win-asian-award?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Oct 2025 05:39:58 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse South Korea captain Son Heung-min is set to break his country’s record for most appearances for the men’s national team when they host Brazil on Friday. The Los Angeles FC striker is poised to win his 137th cap in the glamour friendly in Seoul, which acts as a build-up towards the World Cup in North America next year. South Korea and Brazil have both qualified for the 2026 finals, for what will be the 33-year-old Son’s fourth World Cup. Former Tottenham skipper Son, who moved to Major League... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3328318/son-heung-min-set-make-south-korean-history-glamour-brazil-friendly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3328318/son-heung-min-set-make-south-korean-history-glamour-brazil-friendly?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Oct 2025 05:41:10 +0000 Agencies Agencies South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo on Monday called up former German youth international Jens Castrop for next month’s friendlies against World Cup co-hosts the United States and Mexico – the first time a foreign-born, mixed-heritage player has been included in the men’s national squad. Hong named the Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder in his 26-man squad as the Koreans begin preparations for next year’s World Cup. The 22-year-old Castrop, who was born to a German father and a South Korean mother,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3323095/south-korea-select-first-mens-player-mixed-heritage-pre-world-cup-friendlies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3323095/south-korea-select-first-mens-player-mixed-heritage-pre-world-cup-friendlies?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Aug 2025 13:30:11 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Son Heung-min drew a foul 20 minutes into his Major League Soccer debut on Saturday, to earn Los Angeles FC a 2-2 draw against the Chicago Fire. His side trailing to 2-1, the South Korea captain was fouled in the box by Chicago’s Carlos Teran – who had scored the game’s first goal – in the 77th minute, and the referee eventually pointed to the spot after a lengthy VAR review. Denis Bouanga, who had also come on as a substitute, stepped to the spot on 81 minutes and found the top right corner of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3321346/son-heung-min-wins-penalty-lafc-draw-former-tottenham-mans-debut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3321346/son-heung-min-wins-penalty-lafc-draw-former-tottenham-mans-debut?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Aug 2025 03:33:06 +0000 Reuters,dpa Reuters,dpa Harry Kane has paid tribute to his former Tottenham Hotspur teammate Son Heung-min, describing their partnership as “one of the best” in English Premier League history following the South Korean’s departure from the club this week. Son, who combined with Kane for 47 league goals to form a lethal partnership for the best part of a decade at Spurs, joined Los Angeles FC on a record-breaking Major League Soccer transfer on Wednesday. The 33-year-old South Korea skipper had moved to North London... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3321254/son-heung-min-partnership-was-among-best-premier-league-history-harry-kane-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3321254/son-heung-min-partnership-was-among-best-premier-league-history-harry-kane-says?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 Aug 2025 11:00:37 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse South Korea star Son Heung-min said he was “here to win” on Wednesday as Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC welcomed the arrival of the “global icon” from Tottenham. The 33-year-old will reportedly cost a widely reported MLS record US$26 million (HK$204 million) transfer fee after a decade in the Premier League, where he became a household name. “I’m here to win, and I will perform,” he said at an introductory press conference at BMO Stadium that was packed with United States and South Korean... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3321019/son-heung-min-presented-lafc-after-joining-tottenham-not-my-first-choice?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3321019/son-heung-min-presented-lafc-after-joining-tottenham-not-my-first-choice?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Aug 2025 02:23:50 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Son Heung-min has already begun causing a stir in the United States after reportedly agreeing a move to Los Angeles FC. The South Korean has not yet officially signed for the Major League Soccer (MLS) club, but LAFC have said a press conference is planned for 2pm local time on Wednesday for a “major announcement” – believed to be the unveiling of Son. The 33-year-old Son announced last week that he was to leave Tottenham Hotspur after a decade at the North London club, during which he scored 173... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3320914/son-heung-min-fever-hits-los-angeles-fans-wait-airport-spot-him-match?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3320914/son-heung-min-fever-hits-los-angeles-fans-wait-airport-spot-him-match?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Aug 2025 06:07:21 +0000 Reuters Reuters Son Heung-min, who is leaving Tottenham Hotspur after 10 seasons, has a deal in place to join Los Angeles FC, according to multiple reports. LAFC will pay a transfer fee of around US$26 million for the Spurs and South Korea captain, GiveMeSport and ESPN reported, which would break the Major League Soccer record of US$22 million that Atlanta United paid to acquire Emmanuel Latte Lath in the last off-season. Son, 33, announced over the weekend that he planned to leave Tottenham, saying he achieved... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3320777/son-heung-min-has-deal-join-los-angeles-tottenham-hotspur-reports-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3320777/son-heung-min-has-deal-join-los-angeles-tottenham-hotspur-reports-say?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Aug 2025 05:59:41 +0000 Tom Bell Tom Bell Son Heung-min made what appeared to be his final appearance for Tottenham Hotspur in Seoul on Sunday evening, bidding a tearful farewell during his club’s pre-season friendly match against Newcastle United. There were emotional scenes when the South Korean forward, captain of both his club and country, was replaced after 64 minutes of the English Premier League clubs’ 1-1 draw at Seoul World Cup Stadium. The 33-year-old, who last Thursday played in Spurs’ 1-0 victory over Arsenal in Hong Kong,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3320607/son-heung-min-makes-tearful-farewell-tottenham-hotspur-seoul?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3320607/son-heung-min-makes-tearful-farewell-tottenham-hotspur-seoul?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 Aug 2025 14:20:32 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press After 10 years with Tottenham Hotspur, captain Son Heung-min announced on Saturday that he plans to leave the English Premier League club. At a media conference in Seoul, Son, appearing at times to be holding back tears, said his decision to leave the Spurs was “the most difficult” of his career and said the club was supporting him as he looks to move on to another team. Spurs will face Newcastle United in a pre-season friendly on Sunday in Seoul in what could be the final match of Son’s time at... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3320526/son-heung-min-quit-spurs-calls-it-most-difficult-decision-his-career?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3320526/son-heung-min-quit-spurs-calls-it-most-difficult-decision-his-career?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 Aug 2025 04:49:03 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara A group of Hong Kong artists said they experienced a genuine “wow” moment when they saw their shirt number design on the backs of Son Heung-min and his Tottenham Hotspur teammates. Parents Parents, a Kowloon-based street art collective, were commissioned by the club to create a Hong Kong-themed design for the historic North London derby at Kai Tak Stadium on Thursday. “When I saw the Instagram post of the jersey before the match, I just thought, ‘wow’,” Wong Tin-yau, one of the artists, said. “I... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3320404/hong-kong-artists-wow-moment-son-heung-min-and-spurs-stars-wear-their-design?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3320404/hong-kong-artists-wow-moment-son-heung-min-and-spurs-stars-wear-their-design?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Aug 2025 06:52:51 +0000 Timon Johnson Timon Johnson Hundreds of spectators, largely local and overseas Tottenham Hotspur fans, gathered at the Hung Hom waterfront to enjoy a drone show on Wednesday night, with some arriving as early as the morning in the hopes of seeing their favourite players staying nearby for Hong Kong’s first major football festival. As many fans stood just outside or inside the Kerry Hotel in hopes of attracting their favourite players’ attention, others walked around the premises and along the waterfront to get a prime view... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3320168/dozens-hong-kong-overseas-tottenham-fans-gather-club-themed-drone-show?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3320168/dozens-hong-kong-overseas-tottenham-fans-gather-club-themed-drone-show?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Jul 2025 11:09:43 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Tottenham Hotspur made a relatively low-key entrance to the Hong Kong Football Festival on Tuesday, holding a public training session in front of 9,080 fans at Kai Tak Stadium. While the Europa League winners drew only around one-third of the 27,000 who watched Liverpool practice last Thursday, the Spurs devotees lapped up their 75 minutes of action. Stars including James Maddison, Richarlison and fan favourite Son Heung-min participated in various keep-ball games, before moving through some... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3320040/tottenham-hotspur-make-low-key-hong-kong-football-festival-entrance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3320040/tottenham-hotspur-make-low-key-hong-kong-football-festival-entrance?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Jul 2025 01:30:11 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Tottenham Hotspur’s new head coach Thomas Frank has praised the “great character” of Son Heung-min amid speculation that his South Korean superstar could play his last North London derby in Hong Kong this week. Los Angeles Football Club have emerged as front runners to sign Son, who has only one year left on his Spurs deal. The club are contractually obliged to field the 33-year-old in their friendly with Newcastle United in Seoul on Sunday. Before then, he is expected to feature when Tottenham... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3320036/could-son-heung-min-play-his-last-north-london-derby-spurs-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3320036/could-son-heung-min-play-his-last-north-london-derby-spurs-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Jul 2025 15:00:08 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Four of the world’s biggest clubs are taking part in the Hong Kong Football Festival. After Liverpool and AC Milan on Saturday matched the six-goal tally of their epic 2005 Champions League final, eyes are turning to the first-ever North London derby outside the UK. On Thursday, it’s Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur in the city’s new Kai Tak Stadium. The action and atmosphere there during Milan’s 4-2 win over the Reds gave the Londoners plenty to live up to. But who is actually coming to Hong Kong?... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3319468/liverpool-milan-arsenal-tottenham-hong-kong-meet-stars-football-festival?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3319468/liverpool-milan-arsenal-tottenham-hong-kong-meet-stars-football-festival?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Jul 2025 23:00:14 +0000 dpa dpa Team captain Son Heung-min hailed Ange Postecoglou as a “Tottenham Hotspur legend” as the club’s supporters’ trust expressed “concern” with another change in manager. Postecoglou ended Spurs’ 17-year wait for silverware with Europa League success over Manchester United in Bilbao on May 21, but it failed to earn the Australian a third season. A club statement on Friday announcing Postecoglou’s departure highlighted a woeful Premier League campaign where Tottenham finished 17th, which is their... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3313495/son-heung-min-hails-sacked-manager-ange-postecoglou-tottenham-hotspur-legend-forever?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3313495/son-heung-min-hails-sacked-manager-ange-postecoglou-tottenham-hotspur-legend-forever?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Jun 2025 10:22:38 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Son Heung-min could leave Tottenham this summer and is a target for clubs in the Saudi Pro League, according to various reports in the British media. Having failed to land No 1 target Bruno Fernandes, Al-Hilal remain in the market for attacking players and would likely be among the front runners to sign the South Korea captain. The Telegraph report Son is of interest to clubs in the Saudi Pro League, while PA suggested Spurs would only allow their skipper to leave should they receive a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3313111/saudi-clubs-reportedly-chasing-son-heung-min-spurs-want-significant-fee-skipper?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3313111/saudi-clubs-reportedly-chasing-son-heung-min-spurs-want-significant-fee-skipper?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Jun 2025 02:45:23 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in – fresh off European trophy wins – aim to lead South Korea to the World Cup, with four remaining automatic spots from Asia up for grabs. Japan and Iran have already sealed their berths at the tournament next year in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. South Korea are guaranteed to join them on Thursday if they avoid defeat against Iraq in Basra. Even if they lose, they will have another opportunity at home to Kuwait next Tuesday in Group B. South Korea and Spurs... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3312886/world-cup-south-korea-near-qualification-uzbekistan-chase-history?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3312886/world-cup-south-korea-near-qualification-uzbekistan-chase-history?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Jun 2025 12:00:08 +0000 Reuters Reuters South Korea captain Son Heung-min will be used sparingly in their World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and Kuwait as he builds up his match fitness following his return from a foot injury, coach Hong Myung-bo said on Monday. South Korea, who lead Group B by three points, face Iraq in Basra on June 5 before returning home for their final qualifier of the third round against Kuwait five days later. The Koreans will qualify for their 11th successive World Cup if they avoid defeat by Iraq, who last... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3312746/south-korea-take-it-easy-tottenhams-son-world-cup-qualifiers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3312746/south-korea-take-it-easy-tottenhams-son-world-cup-qualifiers?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Jun 2025 12:00:09 +0000 dpa dpa Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min admitted he could now be called a “legend” after he achieved his dream of lifting silverware at the club following Europa League success on Wednesday night. Brennan Johnson’s messy 42nd-minute finish proved enough to help Spurs down Premier League rivals Manchester United 1-0 in the final in Bilbao, Spain. It earned Tottenham a first trophy in 17 years and ended Son’s own wait for cup glory after painful defeats in the finals of the Champions League and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3311319/europa-league-final-son-heung-min-happy-be-tottenham-legend-last-after-bilbao-glory?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3311319/europa-league-final-son-heung-min-happy-be-tottenham-legend-last-after-bilbao-glory?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 May 2025 04:07:32 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Tottenham Hotspur will play in South Korea as part of their pre-season plans, the club said Monday, having already committed to a friendly against rivals Arsenal in Hong Kong. The London club, who face Manchester United this Wednesday in Bilbao in the Europa League final, are captained by South Korea skipper Son Heung-min. It will be Tottenham’s fifth trip to South Korea and they will play in the 2025 Coupang Play Series. The club said it will release fixture information “in due course”. Ange... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3310890/tottenham-add-south-korea-hong-kong-part-pre-season-plans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3310890/tottenham-add-south-korea-hong-kong-part-pre-season-plans?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 May 2025 07:10:50 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk A woman and a man have been arrested in South Korea for allegedly trying to extort millions of won from Son Heung-min – the national team captain and one of Asia’s most celebrated footballers – by falsely claiming she was pregnant with his child and demanding money to keep the story quiet. The Seoul Gangnam Police Precinct said on Thursday that it was investigating a woman in her twenties for extortion and a man in his forties for attempted extortion, according to the Korea JoongAng Daily... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3310435/son-heung-min-targeted-south-korean-blackmail-plot-over-fake-baby-claim-2-arrested?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3310435/son-heung-min-targeted-south-korean-blackmail-plot-over-fake-baby-claim-2-arrested?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 May 2025 06:07:59 +0000 Japan can become the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup this week while Son Heung-min will try to forget his Tottenham woes by firing South Korea to the finals. Asian nations play two rounds of games, on Thursday and Tuesday, as qualifying for the enlarged 48-team tournament in North America approaches the business end in the region. Japan will seal their spot with three qualifying matches to go if, as expected, they beat Bahrain at home in Saitama on Thursday. Even if they stumble, it... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3302793/fifa-world-cup-2026-japan-son-heung-mins-south-korea-could-grab-first-spots-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3302793/fifa-world-cup-2026-japan-son-heung-mins-south-korea-could-grab-first-spots-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Mar 2025 08:47:29 +0000 Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min will remain at the club until 2026 at least after the Premier League club activated a one-year extension in his contract on Tuesday. The 32-year-old, who joined Spurs from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, has scored 169 goals and provided 90 assists in 431 appearances for the club. His current deal was due to expire at the end of this season, but he will remain in North London until the end of the following campaign. “We are delighted to announce that we have... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3293787/english-premier-league-spurs-captain-son-heung-min-extend-stay-until-least-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3293787/english-premier-league-spurs-captain-son-heung-min-extend-stay-until-least-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Jan 2025 15:00:18 +0000 South Korean winger Yang Min-hyeok departed Seoul for London on Monday to join Tottenham Hotspur midseason, where he will link up with fellow international Son Heung-min. Spurs signed Yang from Gangwon FC in July on a contract valid to 2030. The 18-year-old was initially set to join Ange Postecoglou’s side in January but is now arriving a month earlier than planned. Yang conceded he felt anxious before his 14-hour flight but shared his anticipation at the chance to play alongside Tottenham... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3291048/english-premier-league-spurs-bound-yang-min-hyeok-excited-reunion-son-heung-min?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3291048/english-premier-league-spurs-bound-yang-min-hyeok-excited-reunion-son-heung-min?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:00:09 +0000 The father of Spurs star Son Heung-min has been ordered by a South Korean court to pay a fine of three million won (US$2,220) for violating child welfare law at his football school, reports said. Son Woong-jung is a former footballer who wrote a bestselling memoir detailing how he helped his son become one of the best strikers in the English Premier League. But earlier this year the parents of a young player at his football academy said their son was hit by coach Son Heung-yun – the brother of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3282114/tottenham-star-son-heung-mins-father-ordered-pay-fine-over-football-school-abuse?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3282114/tottenham-star-son-heung-mins-father-ordered-pay-fine-over-football-school-abuse?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Oct 2024 07:56:09 +0000 Wency Chen Wency Chen Ant International, the global arm of Chinese fintech giant Ant Group, has entered into a three-year strategic partnership with English Premier League (EPL) football club Tottenham Hotspur, as part of the company’s efforts to expand its reach across overseas markets. Singapore-based Ant International, through digital payment solutions provider Alipay+ and merchant payment processing service Antom, will serve as Tottenham Hotspur’s exclusive global payments provider and digital wallet partner, the... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3278296/ant-international-teams-epl-club-tottenham-hotspur-global-expansion-drive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3278296/ant-international-teams-epl-club-tottenham-hotspur-global-expansion-drive?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Sep 2024 12:10:30 +0000 Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min’s father and brother have been fined in a child abuse case, South Korean prosecutors said on Friday. Son Woong-jung is a public figure in South Korea and wrote a bestselling memoir detailing how he helped his son become one of the best strikers in the English Premier League. He runs a football academy where his elder son Son Heung-yun coached. The pair and another coach at the academy were accused in April of physically and verbally abusing a 12-year-old... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3276626/spurs-star-son-heung-mins-father-and-brother-fined-over-child-abuse-football-academy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3276626/spurs-star-son-heung-mins-father-and-brother-fined-over-child-abuse-football-academy?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Aug 2024 11:03:39 +0000 South Korean culture has taken the world by storm over the past decade with the rise of the entertainment industry. The popularity of K-pop, K-drama and South Korean cinema has made names like Blackpink, Song Hye-kyo and Wi Ha-joon internationally recognised. But entertainment isn’t the only thing the Asian powerhouse is exporting – one of the biggest names to come out of the country is making a splash in the sports realm. Footballer Son Heung-min made history in 2023, becoming the first Asian... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3254678/5-watch-brands-son-heung-mins-winning-collection-uk-premier-league-football-star-loves-rolex-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3254678/5-watch-brands-son-heung-mins-winning-collection-uk-premier-league-football-star-loves-rolex-and?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Mar 2024 06:00:12 +0000 The team that eats together, stays together, or so the adage suggests. Ping pong diplomacy, meanwhile, passed into legend as having helped to end the Cold War. But try telling that to South Korean footballer Son Heung-min, who reportedly dislocated a finger in an altercation with teammates about table tennis and dining etiquette during the recent AFC Asian Cup. Son was seen with his fingers taped when he returned to club action with Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League at the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3251951/son-heung-min-reportedly-dislocated-finger-south-korea-duty-ping-pong-diplomacy-fails?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3251951/son-heung-min-reportedly-dislocated-finger-south-korea-duty-ping-pong-diplomacy-fails?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Feb 2024 08:59:36 +0000 South Korea coach Juergen Klinsmann will look to captain Son Heung-min and his squad’s Europe-based players to steer the nation to their first Asian Cup title in 64 years when he leads his team into next month’s continental championship in Qatar. Klinsmann has included Tottenham Hotspur’s Son in his 26-man squad as well as Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae, Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Hwang Hee-chan in an attempt to win a first title since 1960. “When you go... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3246581/afc-asian-cup-klinsmann-looks-premier-league-pair-son-heung-min-and-hwang-hee-chan-lead-south-koreas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3246581/afc-asian-cup-klinsmann-looks-premier-league-pair-son-heung-min-and-hwang-hee-chan-lead-south-koreas?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Dec 2023 02:00:21 +0000 South Korea travel to China on Tuesday for 2026 World Cup qualifying, with Son Heung-min warning his side they must keep their cool in front of a sell-out crowd. The clash in Shenzhen, just over the border from Hong Kong, is the pick of the second round of games in the second phase of qualifying for the World Cup in North America. Among other notable matches, Australia face Palestine in Kuwait, Japan travel to Jeddah to play Syria, Iran are away at Uzbekistan and India host Qatar. South Korea... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3242147/fifa-world-cup-2026-son-heung-min-issues-warning-south-korea-travel-china-qualifiers-clash-shenzhen?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3242147/fifa-world-cup-2026-son-heung-min-issues-warning-south-korea-travel-china-qualifiers-clash-shenzhen?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Nov 2023 06:15:40 +0000 K-pop powerhouse BTS did not get one, star footballer Son Heung-min did: South Korea grants limited exemptions from military service and for the first time esports players can earn one. For South Korean men, winning gold in any sport at the Asian Games opening on Saturday in Hangzhou comes with an automatic exemption from 18 months in the army. This year esports is a medal event for the first time, meaning South Korea’s top players including team captain Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok have double the... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3235433/south-koreans-debate-over-gamers-who-can-get-military-service-exemption-if-they-win-gold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3235433/south-koreans-debate-over-gamers-who-can-get-military-service-exemption-if-they-win-gold?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Sep 2023 06:40:48 +0000 Son Heung-min dedicated his historic goal in Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-1 win against Brighton & Hove Albion to his late grandfather after the South Korea star became the first Asian to score 100 times in the English Premier League. He reached his century of strikes in style with a superb curling finish to put Tottenham ahead in the first half in north London on Saturday. After Lewis Dunk’s equaliser, Harry Kane’s 79th-minute winner ensured that Son’s goal would not go to waste as fifth-placed... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3216454/son-heung-min-becomes-first-asian-100-premier-league-goals-dedicates-it-late-grandfather?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3216454/son-heung-min-becomes-first-asian-100-premier-league-goals-dedicates-it-late-grandfather?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Apr 2023 05:40:14 +0000 Tottenham Hotspur called for social media companies and authorities to “take action” after online racist abuse was directed at Son Heung-min following his goal against West Ham on Sunday. South Korea captain Son emerged from the bench in the second half to put his side 2-nill up in the London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. “We have been made aware of the utterly reprehensible online racist abuse directed at Son Heung-min during today’s match, which has been reported by the club,”... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3210789/south-koreas-son-heung-min-subject-reprehensible-racist-abuse-social-media-during-spurs-win-over?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3210789/south-koreas-son-heung-min-subject-reprehensible-racist-abuse-social-media-during-spurs-win-over?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Feb 2023 02:36:08 +0000 It’s not just K-pop and K-drama stars raking in big bucks for their talent and landing lucrative sponsorship deals. Football has its own K-stars too – one of them being Son Heung-min, captain of the South Korean national team and star striker for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. He’s regarded as one of the best forwards in the world and most likely the highest-profile Asian football athlete in Europe: like other top players, his contracts and sponsorship deals certainly reflect his value.... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3204349/how-does-son-heung-min-make-and-spend-his-football-millions-captain-south-koreas-world-cup-team?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3204349/how-does-son-heung-min-make-and-spend-his-football-millions-captain-south-koreas-world-cup-team?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Dec 2022 22:00:10 +0000 At the time of writing, we are still waiting to see which nation will win the 2022 World Cup, but this year’s tournament has already given us quite a few upsets during the group stage. Japan unexpectedly beat both Germany and Spain, two of the strongest national teams in recent football history. South Korea beating Portugal 2:1 in Group H was equally sensational to football fans. While Japan and South Korea’s runs in the World Cup have ended, after losing to Croatia and Brazil respectively in... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/article/3203264/5-asias-best-players-qatar-2022-world-cup-koreas-premier-league-star-and-burberry-ambassador-son?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/article/3203264/5-asias-best-players-qatar-2022-world-cup-koreas-premier-league-star-and-burberry-ambassador-son?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Dec 2022 08:03:42 +0000 His team may have lost 3-2 to Ghana in Monday’s group stage match at this year’s World Cup, but South Korea’s handsome forward Cho Gue-sung is enjoying a meteoric rise in popularity, highlighted by his skyrocketing number of Instagram followers. As of December 1, the 24-year-old’s Instagram account with only five posts had more than 1.6 million followers. Before the World Cup, he had only 20,000. After South Korea’s first World Cup game against Uruguay on November 24, in which Cho played only 23... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3201692/sorry-son-heung-min-south-koreas-got-new-soccer-star-and-hes-grabbing-headlines-more-just-his-goals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3201692/sorry-son-heung-min-south-koreas-got-new-soccer-star-and-hes-grabbing-headlines-more-just-his-goals?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Dec 2022 11:15:13 +0000 Son Heung-min will be able to play in South Korea’s opening World Cup match against Uruguay on Thursday despite wearing a mask after facial surgery, coach Paulo Bento said. The Spurs attacker and South Korean skipper had surgery earlier this month after suffering a fracture around his left eye in a collision during a Champions League game. “Son can play and will be able to play,” Bento said on Wednesday. It remains to be seen to what extent the South Korean talisman features, with the Portuguese... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3200810/fifa-world-cup-son-heung-min-fit-play-south-koreas-opener-against-uruguay-says-coach?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3200810/fifa-world-cup-son-heung-min-fit-play-south-koreas-opener-against-uruguay-says-coach?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Nov 2022 05:00:16 +0000 Tottenham on Wednesday said forward Son Heung-min will undergo surgery on a fracture around his left eye, putting the South Korean star’s World Cup at risk. Son was forced off during the first half of Spurs’ 2-1 win over Marseille on Tuesday that secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League. “We can confirm that Heung-min Son will undergo surgery to stabilise a fracture around his left eye,” Tottenham said in a statement. “Following surgery, Son will commence rehabilitation with... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3198286/south-koreas-son-have-facial-surgery-putting-world-cup-doubt?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3198286/south-koreas-son-have-facial-surgery-putting-world-cup-doubt?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Nov 2022 09:11:37 +0000 Tottenham advanced in the Champions League the hard way on Tuesday. With manager Antonio Conte serving a suspension in the stands and one of its star players, Son Heung-min, forced off the field with a head injury, Tottenham was trailing 1-0 at halftime against Marseille and heading out of the competition. So bad was the performance, Spurs didn’t have a touch in Marseille’s penalty area in the first half. They managed to turn it around. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg scored with the last kick of the game... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3198091/champions-league-tottenham-advance-final-16-son-heung-min-doubt-after-head-injury?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3198091/champions-league-tottenham-advance-final-16-son-heung-min-doubt-after-head-injury?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Nov 2022 03:48:13 +0000 Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min says players must remember they are living their dreams by playing in the Premier League, even if the demanding schedule is taking its toll. Domestic leagues and UEFA have been trying to cram in fixtures before the World Cup starts on November 20. Spurs are due to play 10 matches before the tournament begins in Qatar, starting with Wednesday’s Champions League game against Eintracht Frankfurt. Son, 30, said travelling for matches and spending time away... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3195571/tottenham-hotspurs-star-son-heung-min-says-hectic-schedule-part-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3195571/tottenham-hotspurs-star-son-heung-min-says-hectic-schedule-part-and?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Oct 2022 10:15:15 +0000 South Korea coach Paulo Bento has no plans to talk with Son Heung-min about his lack of goals in the Premier League this season and will instead focus on preparations for upcoming friendlies against Costa Rica and Cameroon. Tottenham Hotspur forward Son finished as the Premier League’s joint-top scorer alongside Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah last season, but has yet to find the net in the current campaign. “I feel the same and I think the same as when he’s scoring a lot. There’s no concern, I will... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3192297/son-heung-min-goal-drought-tottenham-hotspur-no-concern-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3192297/son-heung-min-goal-drought-tottenham-hotspur-no-concern-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Sep 2022 05:43:02 +0000 Chelsea have banned a season-ticket holder indefinitely following reports that Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min was racially abused during last weekend’s Premier League game at Stamford Bridge. The BBC reported that the incident took place when South Korea international Son went to take a corner in the second half of the August 14 game, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Chelsea released a statement after the match saying the club finds any form of discriminatory behaviour “totally... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3189636/chelsea-ban-supporter-indefinitely-after-alleged-racist-abuse-son?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3189636/chelsea-ban-supporter-indefinitely-after-alleged-racist-abuse-son?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Aug 2022 02:17:23 +0000 Chelsea have pledged to take the “strongest action” after an alleged racist incident against Son Heung-min in Sunday’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Tottenham. South Korea forward Son is alleged to have been racially abused by a member of the crowd at Stamford Bridge in Sunday’s top-flight clash. Chelsea have previously handed out life bans to supporters found guilty of racial abuse at Stamford Bridge. The Blues took their latest initiative in the long-running “No To Hate” campaign before... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3189433/chelsea-take-strongest-action-after-alleged-racism-towards-son-heung?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3189433/chelsea-take-strongest-action-after-alleged-racism-towards-son-heung?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Aug 2022 02:46:32 +0000 Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min has revealed he faced racism as a teenage footballer in Germany and was happy to get “revenge” when South Korea knocked Germany out of 2018 World Cup. Son, 29, became the first Asian footballer to win the Golden Boot for being top scorer in the English Premier League with 23 goals last season. The South Korea football icon, the leading Asian goalscorer in English football’s top-flight history, was awarded the country’s highest sporting honour in June for his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3184275/tottenham-star-son-heung-min-says-he-faced-racism-teenager-germany?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3184275/tottenham-star-son-heung-min-says-he-faced-racism-teenager-germany?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Jul 2022 04:15:13 +0000 Son Heung-min has been named South Korea’s top athlete for five straight years, but he is keen to downplay his star status with his Tottenham Hotspur teammates for fear of having to play tour guide for the entire squad during their preseason tour. Spurs begin preparations for the Premier League season with a game against a K League select side in Seoul on July 13, before facing Sevilla in Suwon three days later. The London club enjoy a huge following in South Korea thanks to their Golden... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3184034/tottenham-star-son-heung-min-keen-avoid-becoming-tour-guide-duty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3184034/tottenham-star-son-heung-min-keen-avoid-becoming-tour-guide-duty?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Jul 2022 07:18:28 +0000 Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min might have been among the deadliest strikers in the Premier League this season, but it appears his fellow professionals don’t rate him all that highly. The golden boot award winner, who bagged 23 league goals as Spurs finished fourth and shared the award with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, has been left out of the PFA Players’ Team of the Season. Son’s teammate, Harry Kane, also missed out in an XI that is made up of players from just four clubs. It is the second... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3181123/son-heung-min-snubbed-second-time-fellow-professionals-over-team?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3181123/son-heung-min-snubbed-second-time-fellow-professionals-over-team?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Jun 2022 01:20:17 +0000