South Korea Relies on Son Heung-min as World Cup Approaches

Son Heung-min, known to many as “Sonny,” caused a stir when he left Tottenham Hotspur in August to join LAFC in MLS, with a contract lasting until next year. A towering 6-foot forward, Son is widely recognized as the most famous Asian soccer player globally. His popularity in South Korea rivals that of K-pop, as noted by the Los Angeles Times.

Sonny left South Korea as a teenager, starting his professional career in Germany’s Bundesliga with Hamburger SV and Bayer Leverkusen. In 2015, he moved to Tottenham, where he played 454 games. In his final year with the Spurs, Son captained the team to a UEFA Europa League victory, ending a 17-year trophy drought for the London club.

Caption: Son Heung-Min of South Korea controls the ball against El Salvador in Provo, Utah, on June 3. Photo by Alex Goodlett / Getty Images.

Son’s leadership skills have developed both at the club and national levels, driven by his dynamic play style. He excels in creative playmaking and adapts to various roles on the field. His swift strides make him a formidable opponent, regardless of his position.

Despite a scoring slump for both his club and nation’s squad, Sonny, a former Premier League Golden Boot winner, leads MLS in assists. This may bode well for South Korea as he prepares for his fourth World Cup appearance. The toughest challenge in the group stage for South Korea is expected to be the co-host, Mexico.