Seoul – There were tears, cheers, and deep emotion as Son Heung-min waved goodbye to Tottenham Hotspur after ten remarkable years. In what is expected to be his final appearance for the club, the South Korean forward played in front of a sold-out home crowd at Seoul World Cup Stadium—his farewell set against the perfect backdrop of his birthplace.
Son, 33, is close to joining Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer, with the transfer reportedly valued at around £20 million. Although the deal isn’t final yet, Tottenham manager Thomas Frank confirmed it’s “very likely” Son’s last match in a Spurs shirt.
The game itself, a pre-season friendly against Newcastle United, ended 1-1. But the result barely mattered. This was about Son.
Midway through the second half, in the 65th minute, Son handed the captain’s armband to Ben Davies. Players from both sides formed a guard of honour as he walked off the pitch, head bowed, fighting back tears. His teammates and coaches embraced him, while fans roared their appreciation.
“I didn’t think I was going to cry at first,” Son admitted after the match. “But after hearing a few words from my teammates… leaving the club I’ve spent so much time with felt really tough.”
He added, “My career is not over yet, and I still want to bring fans joy. I have more things to accomplish.”
The moment wasn’t just moving for Son and Spurs fans-it was deeply felt by his opponents too.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe remarked, “The reaction was instinctive from my players. That speaks volumes about him—not just the talent, but the way he’s carried himself. He’s one of the Premier League’s greats.”
Earlier in the match, Brennan Johnson opened the scoring for Spurs and celebrated by mimicking Son’s signature photo-taking gesture—one final tribute to the captain. Newcastle’s Harvey Barnes levelled before halftime.
Behind the scenes, emotions ran just as high. “Sometimes football gives you something beautiful and brutal in the same day,” manager Thomas Frank said, referencing both Son’s farewell and an unfortunate injury to midfielder James Maddison, who was stretchered off just ten minutes after coming on.
In the locker room, Son spoke briefly. “It was beautiful,” Frank recalled. “I said a few things, but it was really Sonny’s moment.”
A Club Legend
Son’s legacy at Tottenham is undeniable. Signed from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 for £22 million—then a record for an Asian player—he became a fan favourite through his humility, flair, and knack for big goals.
He ends his Spurs career with 173 goals and 101 assists in 454 appearances. Only four players have scored more goals for the club.
He ranks joint 16th in Premier League history for goals scored, and in 2022, became the first Asian player to win the Golden Boot—sharing it with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
After Harry Kane left for Bayern Munich in 2023, Son stepped up. He scored 17 goals and made 10 assists in the following season, keeping the team afloat. Even last season, when Spurs flirted with relegation, his creative stats hit career highs: 0.38 assists per 90 minutes and 0.68 big chances created—fifth-best in the league among regular starters.
Perhaps the most telling statistic? Tottenham won only 7% of their league matches without him last season. With Son, they won 42%.
What Next for Spurs?
The hole Son leaves behind is more than tactical—it’s emotional and cultural. He wasn’t just the captain; he was the face of Tottenham, especially in Asia. The pressure will now fall on new signings like Mohamed Kudus, who replaced Son on Sunday, to carry that torch.
Spurs are scheduled to play Bayern Munich next before facing Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup. But no matter what lies ahead, Sunday’s farewell marked the end of an era.
And for Son Heung-min, it was a fitting goodbye—surrounded by fans who adore him, teammates who respect him, and a nation that proudly calls him its own.
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