In the flashy and fancy world of the English Premier League, where footballers often bask in the limelight, there exists a steadfast beacon of hard work and humility. His name is Son Heung-min, and his journey from cutting his teeth in his early years to reaching consistently world-class levels with English giants Tottenham Hotspur is nothing short of miraculous.
Son Heung-min was born on the 8th of July, 1992, in Chuncheon, Gangwon, South Korea. From a young age, the phrase ‘hard work’ was etched into his brain by his parents. His early life was a testament to this commitment to excellence, a dedication that would shape his destiny.
As a kid, Son Heung-min would play soccer every day in Gongjicheon sculpture park. His graduation album, from his elementary school, reveals a young boy wearing the uniform of the national football team, setting him apart from his peers. The inscription at the end of the album said it all: “I will work hard and study hard.” Which must have become a mantra to fuel his future success.
But what truly set Son Heung-min on the path to greatness was the unique guidance of his father, Son Woong-jung, the general manager of the ‘Son Woong-jung Soccer Academy.’ Every day, after completing his classes, Heung-min would train at the Gongjicheon Stadium in Chuncheon. Coach Son, had devised a training program that emphasized individual skills and creativity. The focus was solely on the player’s development, with no distractions, and avoiding any extraneous pitfalls that stifled creativity. Son Heung-min’s bounding play, a trademark of his style, was honed during this period of intense training and nurturing of his innate talents.
Heung-Min next attended Hupyeong Middle School, where unfortunately there was no soccer club. In 2005, he represented the school in the Gangwon Provincial Sports Festival, a moment that would transform his life. Despite losing 4-0, Heung-min’s desire to win was evident. He approached the captain of the winning team and asked to be a part of their squad. Impressed by his ambition and drive this transfer happened quickly and Heung-Min transitioned from personal solo training to experiencing the game played with a full team, developing critical teamwork skills to go along with his amazing individual skills.
Soon Europe came calling for Heung-min Son. Following in the footsteps of fellow Koreans Park Ji-sung and Lee Chung-yong, Son, at only 16 years old, made a bold move and joined Bundesliga giant Hamburger SV. His talent served him well, and he broke into the first team at the tender age of 18, becoming increasingly more and more critical to the team over the seasons. Soon, Germany soccer team Bayer Leverkusen came calling, a testament to his growing reputation.
In 2015, North London club Tottenham Hotspur made the now historic move by signing Son Heung-min for a record-breaking $33 million, the highest fee ever paid for an Asian player at the time. His contract showing everyone how much of an asset the team considered him. And it definitely paid off. He has evolved into an excellent finisher, consistently exceeding his expected goals tally. In fact, he’s held the title of the Premier League’s highest-scoring Asian player since late 2017, surpassing the historic Park Ji-sung.
So you can imagine what Son Heung-Min’s success means back in South Korea. He is not just a footballer; he’s a national treasure. The media coverage of his exploits in football is nothing short of obsessive. From Seoul to Hamburg, from Los Angeles to London, Koreans everywhere, whether local or in the greater world wide diaspora, keep a close eye on their number one Son. Some die-hard supporters even travel halfway across the globe to witness his dazzling display on the field in person.
Still, despite all the fanfare and love from strangers all over the world, Son Heung-Min remains the same little dedicated, hard working, son of his father. The grit, determination, and joy that marked him as a highlight in his youth remains to this day but only shines brighter for the world to see. His star power shines as a beacon to other up and coming boys who dream of following in his footsteps and becoming the next great footballer.
So, remember, the story of Son Heung-Min is one where talent, when nurtured and supported, meets opportunity then the potential to succeed and reach the stars is possible.
