Son Heung-min: From Ball Boy to Asian Icon — 10 Things You Didn't Know About the Tottenham Legend

After 9 legendary seasons, Son Heung-min has officially left Tottenham Hotspur. But how well do you really know the South Korean superstar? Here are 10 fascinating facts about the man who became a Premier League icon and an Asian football pioneer.

1.Coached by his father from day one

Son’s football journey began under the strict guidance of his father, Son Woong-jung, a former professional player in the Korean league during the 1980s. Son has said he would often feel physically ill after intense sessions — his father made him juggle the ball to the point of exhaustion.

2.His brother also played — briefly

Son has an older brother, Heung-yun Son, who also pursued football. However, his professional career lasted just 10 matches and 398 minutes on the pitch.

3.From ball boy to pro

While training at FC Seoul’s academy, Son worked as a ball boy during matches — getting his first close-up view of the professional game from the sidelines.

4.Learned German by watching SpongeBob

At 16, Son left home to join Hamburg’s youth system in Germany. To pick up the language, he watched German-dubbed episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants.

5.The best shot in the South Korean military

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Son completed his mandatory military training and received an award for top shooting performance. Normally, South Korean men serve 21 months, but Son only had to attend basic training thanks to his gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games.

6.Tottenham legend with record-breaking stats

Son leaves as the 4th-highest scorer in Tottenham history with 173 goals and ranks 5th in total appearances (454). Among Premier League wingers, only Mohamed Salah has scored more (186 to Son’s 127).

7.Asia’s greatest football export

In 2015, Son became the most expensive Asian footballer ever when he moved from Bayer Leverkusen to Tottenham for €25 million. He was also the first Asian player to win the Premier League Player of the Month and the Golden Boot (2021/22).

8.Scorer of historic firsts

Son holds a unique distinction: he scored both the very first goal at Tottenham’s new stadium in official matches and the first-ever European goal there.

9.Single by design

Now 33, Son remains unmarried and has said he has no plans to settle down soon. He follows his father's advice to avoid marriage during his career so he can stay fully focused on football.

10.The most lethal duo in Premier League history

Son and Harry Kane combined for 47 goals — more than any other duo in Premier League history. They surpassed Chelsea legends Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba (36 goals) in 2021.

Published by Patrick Jane
07.08.2025