Korean Superstar Son Heung-min Set to Play in Fourth World Cup

June 5, Kathmandu — Son Heung-min, one of Asia’s finest footballers, has already secured his legacy through his remarkable achievements.

The South Korean star, who made his name at English club Tottenham Hotspur, now plays for Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer.

He is preparing for his fourth FIFA World Cup and remains a key player for his national team, aiming to create more memorable moments on the world stage.

Son is recognized among the top forwards globally. Known for his speed and goal-scoring prowess, his strengths extend beyond just scoring — he is also lauded for his creative passing and playmaking abilities.

Between 2015 and 2025, he posted double-digit assists in three Premier League seasons, underscoring his all-around game.

Debuting in the German Bundesliga at 18, Son scored 49 goals for Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen before joining Tottenham at age 23 in 2015, where he quickly became a mainstay of the team.

His spectacular solo goal against Burnley in December 2018/19, where he dribbled past seven opponents, earned him the FIFA Puskás Award and Premier League ‘Goal of the Season’ honors.

Across all competitions, Son played 454 matches for Tottenham, scoring 173 goals. Last season, as team captain, he led them to a UEFA Europa League title with a 1–0 victory over Manchester United in the final — his first major trophy. He then transferred to Los Angeles FC.

Legendary coach Pep Guardiola praised Son, stating, ‘He constantly gives us problems.’ Former Tottenham teammate and striking partner Harry Kane also regards playing alongside Son as a special experience, highlighting his exceptional talent.

Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp considered not signing Son as one of the biggest mistakes of his career.

Statistics of Son Heung-min

Son is South Korea’s most capped player, having appeared in 140 matches and scored 54 international goals, inching close to Cha Bum-kun’s record of 58 goals.

He has scored three World Cup goals so far. If he scores at least one more in 2026, he will become the highest-scoring Asian player in World Cup history.

Son is also the first Asian player to score 100 Premier League goals, with four career hat-tricks recorded during his decade at Tottenham.

In the 2021/22 Premier League season, he scored 23 goals, evenly distributed between both feet and headed finishes.

After moving to Los Angeles, he continued his excellence by scoring a free-kick goal against San Jose Earthquakes, which won ‘Goal of the Year.’

Son Heung-min’s World Cup History

Son made his World Cup debut in Brazil 2014, scoring his first goal against Algeria, though South Korea was eliminated in the group stage.

In the 2018 World Cup, he scored an outstanding goal against Mexico and netted a goal in South Korea’s historic victory over defending champions Germany, whose early exit was a major upset.

Despite facial injuries in the 2022 World Cup, he wore a protective mask and played. His crucial assist in the dying moments against Portugal helped Korea advance to the knockout stage.

Under the leadership of Hong Myung-bo, the Korean squad aims to perform strongly at the 2026 World Cup. The team features promising talents like Lee Kang-in, Kim Min-jae, Lee Jae-sung, Hwang In-beom, Hwang Hee-chan, and Oh Hyun-gyu.

As the team leader, Son Heung-min is expected to be the pivotal figure driving Korea’s success in the tournament.