Son Heung-min beats Cristiano Ronaldo to win top Asian award
South Korean star crowned continent’s best for 10th time, with compatriot Lee Kang-in second and Ronaldo third
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 to July 16 this year.
Son wrapped up his Tottenham Hotspur career in May by winning the first trophy of his decade-long stay, the Europa League, before completing a transfer to US Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC.
The 33-year-old, who earned 14.26 per cent of the judges’ votes, scored 10 goals in 46 appearances in his final Spurs campaign. He also played an integral role in helping his country qualify for their 11th straight World Cup finals in North America next year.