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Son Heung-min is arguably the greatest Asian footballer in Premier League history, and perhaps even the entirety of European Football.
During the 2022 Ballon d'Or, Son placed 11th in the rankings, the highest an Asian has ever finished in the award's long history. The South Korean star has impressed ever since he left his country and joined Hamburger SV's academy as a 16-year-old in 2008.
His rapid rise into one of the most renowned goal-scoring wingers in football today might have come as a surprise to some, yet those who have seen him since his early days knew how much determination and motivation his father instilled in him. Son's goalscoring ability was clear to see from the moment he established himself at Hamburg, but he reached another level with Tottenham Hotspur under Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho and then Antonio Conte. But just how many goals has he scored so far in his career?
When Son moved from Bayer Leverkusen to Tottenham Hotspur in 2015 for £22m, he became the most expensive Asian footballer in history. Considering how his career with Spurs has panned out, that fee has proven to be an absolute steal. It took some time for Son to adapt to his new team and a new league in his first season, but he was pivotal for Tottenham Hotspur in their challenge for the Premier League title, even if they just missed out on the trophy in the end. Since then he has gone on the lay several new benchmarks for Asian footballers in European football. He has gone on to become the highest-scoring Asian footballer in the Premier League and Champions League, becoming the highest-scoring Asian in European football in the process.
In 2021-22, under Antonio Conte he recorded his best-ever goal tally, which led Son to become the first-ever Asian footballer to win the Premier League Golden Boot. Forming a dangerous link with team-mate Harry Kane, the duo has helped Tottenham Hotspur reach new heights and will be hoping to soon end the club's long trophy drought.
Son's move from Hamburger SV to Bayer Leverkusen for €10m in 2013 made him their then club-record signing. He was quick to repay the club's trust in him by adapting easily in his first season. Son would help Bayer Leverkusen reach the Champions League, scoring the goal which secured their place in the tournament.
The following season Son improved upon his goal tally from the previous year as he became Bayer Leverkusen's top scorer in the league and again helped them secure a place in the Champions League spots. By the end of the season, big clubs in Europe had started to eye the South Korean superstar in the making, with Tottenham Hotspur eventually bringing him to White Hart Lane.
Son was only 16 years old when he moved to Hamburg's academy in 2008, but he would impress many at the club and found himself in the first-team squad within two years, eventually becoming the youngest goalscorer in their Bundesliga history. Son would be essential for Hamburg's survival in the Bundesliga during his second season. His goals at the end of the campaign would be crucial in helping them escape relegation. In his second season, Son doubled his previous tally, with his brace against heavyweights Borussia Dortmund bringing him into the limelight as one of the top prospects in European football.
Son has made South Korea proud through his performances abroad, but he may feel has more to achieve with his country. This doesn't mean he hasn't made waves with them, though! Since he made his international debut in 2010, Son has been crucial for South Korea's successes. In his first tournament at the Asian Cup in 2011, Son would become the youngest goalscorer in the competition's history by scoring against India. He has represented South Korea in two World Cups and is their joint-highest scorer in the tournament with three goals. In 2015, Son almost helped South Korea taste gold in the Asian Cup, however, they would lose in extra time to hosts Australia. The 2018 Asian Games would finally see Son get success with the national side, helping South Korea win the tournament and get the gold medal.
Son Heung-min is more than a footballer for South Koreans. He is a source of national pride and a symbol of their country's collective success. When Son won the Premier League Player of the Month for the first time in 2016, there almost wasn't a billboard or TV channel which didn't highlight his achievement. Son's success also serves as an inspiration for many Asians beyond South Korea as his career trajectory is the dream of many aspiring footballers who hope to one day make it to the top. For both club and country, Son's contributions have been essential in taking them to the next level. Each year the winger has developed his skills and abilities, which has ended up making him one of the most elite wingers in football today.
Source: goal.com
