Heung-min Son, Tottenham Hotspur`s revered striker and captain, seemingly played his final match for the club on Sunday in an emotional friendly against Newcastle United. The game, held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in his native Korea, served as a poignant farewell for the South Korean sensation. During the 1-1 draw, Son was substituted in the 65th minute and was met with a touching guard of honor from players of both Spurs and Newcastle as he left the pitch. He then passed the captain`s armband to Ben Davies, receiving heartfelt embraces from his teammates and Tottenham staff in a truly moving moment.
Son`s departure comes after he announced on Saturday his decision to leave Spurs this summer, concluding a remarkable decade-long tenure with the North London club. This marks the end of an era for both the player and the team.
Reflecting on the emotional occasion, Son shared his feelings: “I didn`t think I was going to cry at first, 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. My career is not over yet, and I want to continue to bring joy. I know I have more things I want to accomplish as a football player.”
According to various reports, Son is now set to begin a new chapter in his career, with a move to LAFC in Major League Soccer (MLS) anticipated in the coming days.
Son`s impact on Tottenham has been profound since his arrival in 2015 from Bayer Leverkusen. His transfer, valued at approximately $20 million, made him the most expensive Asian player in Premier League history at the time. This season, he played a pivotal role in ending Tottenham`s 17-year trophy drought, helping them secure their first silverware by defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the final of the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League.
Newcastle United head coach, Eddie Howe, commented on his team`s participation in the guard of honor for Son. He remarked, “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.”
