South Korea catches 'Spursmania' for Son Heung-min and Tottenham's preseason tour

When Son got here dwelling holding his historic Golden Boot in late Might, followers greeting him on the airport screamed, "Heung-min, we love you!" as cameras flashed and captured the nation's most adored athlete.

From Chuncheon to North London

Son began enjoying soccer as a baby in Chuncheon, situated about 46 miles northeast of Seoul, beneath his father's supervision.

He was picked as one among six members of the Korea Soccer Affiliation's (KFA) FA Youth Venture in 2009 to affix German facet Hamburg's youth academy, the place he ultimately superior to the primary group and made his skilled debut on the age of 18.

In 2015, the South Korean star made a giant transfer from Leverkusen to Premier League common Tottenham, simply three days earlier than the summer time switch window closed.

Since then, he has been breaking information set by his function fashions Park Ji-sung, the primary Korean to play within the Premier League and solely Asian participant to win the UEFA Champions League, and Cha Bum-kun, who performed over 300 matches within the Bundesliga for Eintracht Frankfurt and Leverkusen from 1979 to 1989.

In Might, Son surpassed Cha's file of 17 targets as probably the most targets scored by a Korean participant in a season in a European league. He additionally grew to become the primary Asian footballer to clinch the Premier League's Golden Boot with 23 targets within the season -- degree with Liverpool's Mo Salah.

Having made his a hundredth worldwide look in June, the ahead additionally performs a significant function within the nationwide group.

Son received Asian Video games gold in 2018 and led the way in which in South Korea's well-known 2-0 victory over Germany within the 2018 Russia World Cup group stage, slotting dwelling the game-securing, injury-time winner into an empty internet.

South Korea's love for 'Sonny' and Spurs

Earlier than Son's switch to north London, Tottenham was identified in South Korea because the group which 2002 World Cup hero Lee Younger-pyo had performed for. However the group was not wherever practically as acknowledged as Manchester United, a group that the nation adored as a result of Park.

When Park retired in 2014, Korean soccer followers and media have been trying to find the "Subsequent Park," a participant that might lead the Korean sport.

Though a number of different Korean footballers joined the Premier League following Park, none achieved the extent of success of the Purple Devils midfielder.

As he settled in north London and began getting extra established as a top-tier participant, Tottenham additionally grew to become probably the most watched and best-supported abroad group in South Korea.

Whether or not they're soccer followers or not, Koreans are in love with their sensational striker and his membership.

Attending a Spurs match has change into a must-do for Koreans when touring in Europe, Son shirts are flying off the cabinets within the Asian nation, and if their hero scores a aim, information broadcasts cowl him extensively.

Son's recognition has led to the creation of 4 official Spurs supporters' golf equipment throughout South Korea, together with Gangwon-do Spurs, the province of his hometown of Chuncheon.

Individuals have been thrilled when Tottenham introduced its preseason tour to Seoul -- the membership's first go to with Son and the complete squad -- and it did not take too lengthy earlier than tickets to Spurs' two matches have been offered out.

On prime of Son's history-making achievements, followers say they're in love along with his humble character.

Having picked up the sport beneath his father's teaching, who himself is a retired footballer, Son at all times offers credit score for his success to his father.

In his e-book, 'What I Thought Whereas I Was Enjoying Soccer,' the footballer mentioned that his father typically instructed him to "be humble." Son's father, Woon-jung, instructed Korean media in June that he nonetheless thinks his son will not be a world-class participant, even after bringing dwelling the Golden Boot.

When Son posted a Golden Boot appreciation put up on his Instagram, followers gushed with admiration: "He speaks properly," "You're a world-class," and "I am so pleased with you as a Korean."

That admiration was on show on a drenched Wednesday night in Seoul, when 64,100 followers crammed the capital's World Cup Stadium to observe Spurs tackle Crew Okay League.

After a rousing 6-3 win the place the native hero scored a brace, 'Sonny' thanked the followers for popping out on a late wet night time, making the followers fall in love with him but once more.

And with yet another pleasant to go for Spurs in South Korea once they face off in opposition to Sevilla at 8 p.m. native time on Saturday, it is probably that Tottenham will acquire much more followers within the land of their Asian celebrity.