Son Heung-min’s illustrious tenure with Tottenham Hotspur appears to have come to a poignant end in the most fitting way—before a packed home crowd in Seoul, South Korea, where he bid an emotional farewell in what is widely expected to be his final match for the club.
The 33-year-old was visibly moved as he exited the pitch in the 65th minute during a preseason friendly against Newcastle United, greeted by a spontaneous guard of honour from both Spurs and Newcastle players. Having passed the captain’s armband to Ben Davies, Son was embraced by teammates, coaching staff, and substitutes, eventually taking his seat on the bench, fighting back tears in a moment that captured the hearts of millions.
Son later admitted he hadn’t expected to cry, but the overwhelming support made it impossible not to. “I didn’t think I was going to cry at first,” he said. “But after hearing a few words from my teammates, leaving the club I’ve spent so much time with felt really tough. I felt really, really happy playing this match. Thanks to my fans, my teammates, and also my opponents, I’ve had an unforgettable day.”
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe praised the gesture, saying, “The reaction was instinctive from my players. That speaks volumes about him. It’s not just the talent he has but the way he has carried himself over the years. He’s seen as one of the game’s great Premier League players.”
Son joined Tottenham in 2015 from Bayer Leverkusen for a then-record £22 million, becoming the most expensive Asian player in Premier League history. Over the next 10 years, he developed into a modern Spurs legend—scoring 173 goals, providing 101 assists in 454 appearances, and earning the love and respect of fans across the globe.
He captained the club to their first major trophy in 17 years when they defeated Manchester United in the Europa League final in May 2025.
Son’s impact at Spurs goes well beyond numbers, but the statistics alone underscore his influence:
- 127 Premier League goals—joint 16th in league history
- 71 Premier League assists—Spurs’ all-time record
- 23 goals in 2021–22—shared the Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah
- 173 total goals—fifth-highest scorer in club history
Even in the season following Harry Kane’s departure, Son contributed 17 goals and 10 assists in 35 league appearances, helping to keep Spurs competitive despite a tumultuous campaign. Notably, Spurs won 42% of their matches with Son in the lineup last season but managed only one win in 14 without him.
Son is reportedly in advanced talks to join Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer (MLS), and Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has indicated that the move is “very close.” Speaking after the match, Frank acknowledged the emotional atmosphere and the potential for a new era.
“Sometimes in life and football things can be both beautiful and brutal,” Frank said. “That’s what we got today. It looks like a bad injury for [James] Maddison, and then, on the other side, unbelievable scenes for Son.”
The manager added, “It was very likely Sonny’s last game because [a move is] very close. First we had the walkaround, and then the teammates gathered around, and he was emotional. In the changing room it was more of the same. It was beautiful.”
The farewell at Seoul World Cup Stadium was as theatrical as it was heartfelt. Every touch of the ball by Son was greeted with deafening cheers. When Brennan Johnson opened the scoring for Spurs in the fourth minute, he celebrated by mimicking Son’s signature photo-taking gesture—a touching tribute to his captain.
Newcastle’s Harvey Barnes equalised before halftime, but the result paled in comparison to the emotions that unfolded throughout the night.
As Tottenham prepares to face Bayern Munich and PSG in the upcoming UEFA Super Cup, the void left by Son looms large. The club has invested £55 million in former Ajax and West Ham star Mohammed Kudus, who replaced Son during Sunday’s game, but replicating Son’s consistency, leadership, and influence will be no easy task.
More than just a goal scorer, Son embodied the values of humility, work ethic, and resilience—traits that endeared him to fans and teammates alike.
Though his Tottenham chapter may be closing, Son hinted he is not done just yet. “My career is not over, and I want to continue to bring fans joy,” he told reporters. “I know I have more things I want to accomplish as a football player.”
For Spurs fans and the global football community, Son Heung-min’s departure marks the end of an era. But wherever his next step leads, he leaves North London a legend.
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