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In the summer of 2021, when the entire British media focused on the interview between Harry Kane and Gary Neville on the golf course, where Tottenham's number one striker publicly expressed his desire to leave, in a more hidden corner, Son Heung-min quietly sat down with the team's leadership and signed a five-year contract. No noise, no big statements, just a choice of faith, loyalty and pure love for the team that had nurtured him since his twenties.
A quiet player
And the following season was a fitting reward. Son scored 24 goals, won the Premier League Golden Boot and officially entered the North London club's pantheon. His lightning-fast runs, emotional curling shots and unmistakable smiles have made Son an icon not only at Tottenham, but also of the most exciting league on the planet.
But on August 2, after nearly a decade of commitment, Son said goodbye. He did not leave because he had run out of motivation, nor because of the call of fame. Son left because he understood that every journey must come to an end, to make way for new beginnings. And it was a farewell that made people feel choked up - not because of surprise, but because of the love that had been given along the way.
When Son sat down in a conference room in Seoul, where Tottenham are on tour, and said he would leave the club this summer, he looked both composed and emotional. He hesitated, pausing to collect himself.
"Before I start, I would like to announce that I have decided to leave the team. The club is supporting and respecting my decision," Son said, his voice low. Gone are the 80-meter sprints that make opposing defenders panic. This time, it is he who has to stop to gain momentum - not on the pitch, but emotionally.
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Son Heung-min has just said goodbye to Tottenham Hotspur. |
With 454 games, 173 goals and a Europa League title just won, Son leaves as a legend. And remarkably, he does it without ever hurting the fans. No demands, no conflicts, no drama. He came in silence and left with the same noble silence - just like the person he was from the first day he joined Spurs.
Unlike Harry Kane - who is also loved but has publicly expressed his desire to leave - Son has always maintained a strong emotional bond with the fans. It is no exaggeration to say that even legends like Ginola, Sheringham or Gascoigne have had to bow down to the influence and respect that Son receives from the white stands at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
What makes people respect Son is not just dry numbers, but personality. From a 23-year-old boy who came to England without knowing how to speak English, he became the captain, the spiritual leader and the representative face of the "elegant" image that Tottenham always wanted to build.
He has no regrets. And the fans don't blame him either. Because everyone understands that at the age of 33, a player needs changes to maintain his inspiration to play football. "I think I need a new environment to motivate myself. I need a little change. Ten years is a long time," Son shared. It was the farewell of a person who has lived a full life, with no regrets.
Farewell
Son’s final game for Tottenham will be in Seoul, in front of 66,000 fans, when Spurs take on Newcastle. It will be a fitting tribute, as he bids farewell to his hometown, which has followed him from Hamburg to Leverkusen to London. It’s not just a friendly, it’s a symbolic occasion: a proud bow to end a decade of glory.
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Son Heung-min leaves Tottenham Hotspur as a legend. |
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe did not hide his admiration: “I think Son is one of the legends of the Premier League. Although I have never worked with him, I believe he is a professional and a decent person.” Such comments are not uncommon when talking about Son. Simply put, he is the embodiment of exemplary behavior - not only in the Tottenham shirt, but also in the culture of English football.
Son will be remembered for his goals - from his solo effort against Burnley to his flashes of brilliance in fiery derbies. But what will be remembered more is his smile in front of the fans, his kindness to his teammates, his fierce fighting spirit but never his dirty play.
Son once said that playing in the Premier League was a privilege. But in fact, watching Son Heung-min play football is a privilege for fans. And from now on, when he puts on the LAFC shirt, Tottenham fans will always carry in their hearts the image of a small Korean player with a giant heart.
Son doesn't need a bronze statue, or a wall of fame. Because he has become a living part of Tottenham's history - not with loud voices, but with noble silence.
Source: https://znews.vn/son-heung-min-vi-dai-hon-harry-kane-post1573785.html
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