Son Heung-Min is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur and the South Korean national team. He is one of the most successful Asian footballers in history, having scored over 100 goals for Tottenham and more than 20 goals for South Korea. He has also won various individual and team awards, including Asian Footballer of the Year, PFA Fans’ Player of the Year, and the FIFA Puskás Award.
In this article, we will explore Son Heung-Min’s biography, age, parents, family, net worth and wife. We will also look at his education, career, personal life, and more.
Son Heung-Min Early Life
Heung-Min was born in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, South Korea, on July 8, 1992. He is the son of former professional footballer Son Woong-Jung, who played for Chuncheon FC in the K League 2, and housewife Eun-Hee Ji. He has two older brothers: Son Heung-Yun and Son Heung-Chol.
Son Heung-Min grew up in a football-loving family, where he learned to play the game from his father. His father was his first coach and mentor, who taught him the basics of football and encouraged him to pursue his dream. His father also built a mini-pitch in their backyard, where Son practiced every day with his brothers.
Son Heung-Min Education and Career
Son Heung-Min attended Dongbuk Elementary School and Dongbuk Middle School in Chuncheon. He was an excellent student who excelled in both academics and sports. He joined his first club, Chuncheon FC Youth Team, when he was six years old. He was with them till he was ten years old. He played for them until he was 10 years old.
Son Heung-Min later relocated to Seoul to join the FC Seoul youth academy. He spent four years there, perfecting his skills and impressing the coaches. At the age of 16, he made his senior team debut for FC Seoul. He scored his first goal for the club against Suwon Samsung Bluewings in 2009.
Son Heung-Min’s performances for FC Seoul attracted the interest of several European clubs. He signed a contract with Hamburger SV in Germany in 2010 for an undisclosed fee of €900,000. At the age of 18, he became the youngest South Korean player to play in the Bundesliga.
Breakthrough and Rise to Fame
Son Heung-Min’s breakthrough season came in 2012–13, when he scored 12 goals in 34 games for Hamburger SV. He rose to become one of the team’s greatest players and one of Europe’s most promising young players. He attracted the interest of several big clubs, such as Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, etc.
In 2013, Son Heung-Min joined Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year deal for a reported fee of €10 million. He became one of the key players in the team, scoring 29 goals in 87 games. He helped Bayer Leverkusen qualify for the UEFA Champions League twice and reach the quarter-finals once.
In 2015, Son Heung-Min joined Tottenham Hotspur on a five-year deal for a reported fee of €30 million. He became the most expensive Asian player in history at that time. He also became one of the best players in the Premier League, forming a lethal partnership with Harry Kane.
International Career and Achievements
Son Heung-Min made his debut for South Korea at the age of 18 in 2010. In 2011, he scored his first goal for his country against India. Since then, he has become one of South Korea’s greatest players, scoring over 20 goals in over 80 appearances.
Son Heung-Min has represented South Korea at various tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup (2014 and 2018), the AFC Asian Cup (2011, 2015 and 2019), and the Olympic Games (2012 and 2016). He has won several medals with South Korea such as bronze at the 2012 Olympics, silver at the 2015 Asian Cup, and gold at the 2018 Asian Games.
Son Heung-Min’s gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games was particularly significant because it exempted him from the mandatory service required of all South Korean men. The South Korean government granted him a special pardon for his contributions to the national team.
Personal Life and Relationships
Son Heung-Min is not married yet. He is currently single. He was previously in a relationship with Yoo So-Young, a South Korean actress and former member of the girl group After School. They dated from 2014 to 2015, but broke up due to their busy schedules and long-distance relationship.
Son Heung-Min has a close relationship with his family and friends. He frequently visits his parents and brothers in South Korea and communicates with them through phone calls and video chats. He also maintains a good relationship with his former teammates and coaches from FC Seoul, Hamburger SV, Bayer Leverkusen, and Tottenham Hotspur.
Son Heung-min Religion
Son Heung-min is a South Korean Christian. He has spoken about his faith in interviews and has said that it is an important part of his life. He has also been seen praying before matches and thanking God after scoring goals.
Son’s faith has helped him to cope with the pressures of professional football. In an interview with The Guardian, he said,
“Football is not easy, but I always believe in God. He helps me to overcome difficult times.”
Son’s faith is also an important part of his identity. He has said that he is proud to be a South Korean and a Christian. He has also used his fame to promote his faith, speaking at churches and events.
Son’s faith is a source of strength and inspiration for him. It helps him to stay grounded and focused on what is important in life. It also helps him to connect with others who share his beliefs.
Here are some quotes from Son Heung-min about his faith:
“I always believe in God. He helps me to overcome difficult times.”
“Faith is a very important part of my life. It gives me strength and hope.”
“I am proud to be a South Korean and a Christian.”
“I want to use my fame to promote my faith and help others.”
Son Heung-Min Net Worth and Salary
Son Heung-Min has an estimated net worth of $55 million as of 2023. His main source of income is his salary as a professional footballer for Tottenham Hotspur and the South Korea national team. He also earns money from endorsements, sponsorships, bonuses, etc.
Son Heung-Min’s salary at Tottenham Hotspur is €9.98 million per year. This makes him one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League. He also earns €100,000 per game for playing for South Korea. This makes him one of the highest-paid players in the national team.
Son Heung-Min has endorsement deals with several brands such as Nike, Pepsi, EA Sports, etc. He also has sponsorships from companies such as Audi, Rolex, etc.
Son Heung-Min Awards and Honors
Son Heung-Min has won several awards and honors throughout his career. Some of them are:
- Bundesliga Young Player of the Year (2013-14)
- AFC Asian Cup Top Scorer (2015)
- AFC Asian International Player of the Year (2015)
- Premier League Player of the Month (September 2016)
- FIFA Puskás Award (2020)
- PFA Fans’ Player of the Year (2020-21)
- Asian Footballer of the Year (2020)
Summary
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