Spurs captain Son bids emotional goodbye in front of 65,000 fans in Seoul
Spurs drew 1-1 with Newcastle in a pre-season friendly in Seoul but that was secondary to the farewell for the 33-year-old attacker.
There was also the sorry sight of James Maddison being stretchered off with what manager Thomas Frank said 'was most likely a bad injury' to his knee.
In what could have been his final game for the north Londoners, Son played 65 minutes but did not score at Seoul World Cup Stadium, a day after announcing his decision to leave Tottenham this summer after a decade.
He left the pitch to a thunderous ovation from nearly 65,000 fans, hugging his teammates and even his opponents.
The South Korea captain was caught offside twice in the early going, as his teammates tried to create opportunities for him, but he did not really assert himself on the match otherwise.
Son was replaced in the 65th minute by Mohammed Kudus and he walked off in tears as thousands of fans chanted his name.
'I didn't think I was going to cry at first,' Son said.
'But after hearing a few words from my teammates, leaving the club I've spent so much time with felt really tough.
'I felt really, really happy playing this match. Thanks to my fans, my teammates and also my opponents, I've had an unforgettable day.'
Son, who has been linked with LAFC in Major League Soccer, declined to reveal his next destination, saying: 'Nothing has been finalised.'
Frank said he enjoyed the 'unbelievable, beautiful scenes' Son had with players from both sides on his way off the pitch.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said his players' reaction to the end of Son's night had not been planned.
'I think it was very instinctive from the players,' Howe said.
'I think that speaks volumes for him as a person and him as a footballer that both teams recognise the way he's played the game.'
Brennan Johnson's right-footed strike opened the scoring for Tottenham in the fourth minute, and the Welsh forward paid homage to Son by mimicking the South Korean star's camera celebration.
Harvey Barnes levelled in the 38th minute, beating Antonin Kinsky with a right-footed shot that went in off the post. — AFP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
5 hours ago
- Malay Mail
FOMO fuels pickleball craze as Malaysians seek fun path to fitness
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 — If you're an avid social media user, chances are you've come across videos of friends or celebrities playing a unique sport that combines elements of ping pong, badminton, and tennis — known as pickleball. This activity has been gaining popularity, even among those who initially had little interest in sports but eventually got hooked due to the psychological phenomenon known as the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). According to Norezzati Md Hanafiah, a psychologist at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Hospital, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), FOMO — often linked to social pressure or unhealthy lifestyle habits — can actually be used positively, including to encourage a more active lifestyle. She explained that from a psychological perspective, this drive is closely tied to the human instinct to be accepted within a social group, which is essential for emotional well-being. In the context of pickleball or other light sports, FOMO can turn into a positive motivator. 'One might start as a spectator, then develop an interest in trying it out, which can become a turning point toward adopting a healthier lifestyle. If handled properly, FOMO can spark healthy habits that spread widely within a community,' she said. Beyond physical benefits, pickleball also contributes to mental health through its relaxed and fun social aspects — enhancing mood, providing ongoing motivation, and offering social therapy for those dealing with work stress or burnout. Players looking at pickleball equipments. — Bernama pic According to Norezzati, the approach to health promotion is evolving, with a greater focus on the fun-first concept, as seen in pickleball. This makes physical activity enjoyable and more effective than approaches that emphasise beauty or weight loss. 'When an activity is seen as fun rather than a burden, people are more likely to stick with it. This makes a healthy lifestyle something to enjoy rather than something to be forced into,' she said, adding that social media plays a major role in spreading the trend and creating a wave of normalisation that encourages more people to try it without feeling embarrassed or self-conscious. Pickleball is also the sport of choice for national hockey legend Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi, 53, who was drawn to the game's unique, low-impact nature, making it suitable for all age groups. 'I find pickleball to be perfect for maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle. Previously, I only did brisk walking and went to the gym for workouts,' said Mirnawan, who has been actively playing since mid-last year. As the owner of Pickleball Playground in Shah Alam, he also encourages participation among youth under the age of 18, seeing their potential as future athletes who could elevate the sport to greater heights. Mirnawan also described pickleball as a wallet-friendly and accessible sport, noting that with court rental fees ranging from RM50 to RM70 per hour — usually split among several players — and minimal equipment requirements, the sport is suitable for people from all walks of life. 'In residential areas, for instance, the community or management could make use of and modify existing badminton or basketball courts slightly, so residents can play for free and enjoy a variety of recreational sports,' he said. — Bernama
Malay Mail
17 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Spurs captain Son bids emotional goodbye in front of 65,000 fans in Seoul
SEOUL, Aug 4 — Departing Tottenham captain Son Heung-min was in tears and his teammates threw him in the air on an emotional evening in his native South Korea yesterday. Spurs drew 1-1 with Newcastle in a pre-season friendly in Seoul but that was secondary to the farewell for the 33-year-old attacker. There was also the sorry sight of James Maddison being stretchered off with what manager Thomas Frank said 'was most likely a bad injury' to his knee. In what could have been his final game for the north Londoners, Son played 65 minutes but did not score at Seoul World Cup Stadium, a day after announcing his decision to leave Tottenham this summer after a decade. He left the pitch to a thunderous ovation from nearly 65,000 fans, hugging his teammates and even his opponents. The South Korea captain was caught offside twice in the early going, as his teammates tried to create opportunities for him, but he did not really assert himself on the match otherwise. Son was replaced in the 65th minute by Mohammed Kudus and he walked off in tears as thousands of fans chanted his name. 'I didn't think I was going to cry at first,' Son said. 'But after hearing a few words from my teammates, leaving the club I've spent so much time with felt really tough. 'I felt really, really happy playing this match. Thanks to my fans, my teammates and also my opponents, I've had an unforgettable day.' Son, who has been linked with LAFC in Major League Soccer, declined to reveal his next destination, saying: 'Nothing has been finalised.' Frank said he enjoyed the 'unbelievable, beautiful scenes' Son had with players from both sides on his way off the pitch. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said his players' reaction to the end of Son's night had not been planned. 'I think it was very instinctive from the players,' Howe said. 'I think that speaks volumes for him as a person and him as a footballer that both teams recognise the way he's played the game.' Brennan Johnson's right-footed strike opened the scoring for Tottenham in the fourth minute, and the Welsh forward paid homage to Son by mimicking the South Korean star's camera celebration. Harvey Barnes levelled in the 38th minute, beating Antonin Kinsky with a right-footed shot that went in off the post. — AFP
The Sun
18 hours ago
- The Sun
Son Heung Min bids tearful farewell to Spurs fans in Seoul match
SOUTH Korean football icon Son Heung Min bid an emotional farewell to home fans on Sunday, a day after announcing his decision to leave English club Tottenham Hotspur. Son, 33, started for Spurs in a pre-season match against Newcastle United at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, playing 65 minutes before being substituted to a standing ovation and tearful goodbye. Over 64,000 fans packed the 66,000-seat stadium in humid and rainy conditions, many donning Son's iconic 'Son 7' jersey. Banners and chants filled the stands in tribute to the star's decade-long journey with the London club. Son handed over the captain's armband before leaving the pitch in tears. He hugged teammates, coaching staff and even Newcastle players, who congratulated him on his career. The stadium played a video tribute as Son did a lap of honour, waving and blowing kisses to fans. Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank said the match was 'most likely' Son's last with the club. If confirmed, Son will leave as one of Tottenham's all-time greats. Since joining the club in 2015, he has scored 173 goals in 454 appearances, ranking fifth in the club's history. In 2021-22, Son won the Premier League Golden Boot with 23 goals, the first and only Asian player to receive the honour. Son also captained Tottenham to their first trophy in 17 years when they lifted the UEFA Europa League title in May this year. He is among only 13 players to have lifted silverware as captain for the club. The farewell match marked Tottenham's third pre-season visit to South Korea in four years but was easily the most emotionally charged due to Son's impending departure. Chants of 'Nice One, Sonny!' echoed throughout the match, and even after his substitution, fans continued to sing in tribute. Despite not scoring in the match, Son's presence was the highlight, with fans focused on seeing their hometown hero wear the Spurs shirt one last time. The club will continue its pre-season with matches against Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, but Son's participation remains uncertain. As Son closes a historic chapter, he leaves behind a legacy that has redefined Asian representation in top-tier European football. - Bernama, Yonhap Son Heung-Min embraces Lucas Bergvall after playing his last game for Tottenham Hotspur. - REUTERS/Kim Soo-Hyeon
