After a decade of dazzling Premier League defenders, captain Son Heung-min has left Tottenham for LAFC.
The 33-year-old South Korean ahead departs as a real Spurs icon, having scored 173 objectives in 454 appearances, claimed the Premier League Golden Boot, and, most just lately, lifted the Europa League as captain – ending the membership’s 17-year anticipate silverware.
His time in North London has been outlined not solely by his outstanding consistency however by moments of sheer brilliance that dwell lengthy within the reminiscence of the Spurs trustworthy.
As Son prepares for a brand new problem in Los Angeles alongside former team-mate Hugo Lloris, we glance again at 5 of the best objectives of his Tottenham profession.
1. The Puskas Award Winner
Tottenham 5-0 Burnley – Premier League, December 7, 2019
It’s unimaginable to speak about Son with out beginning right here.
This was the objective that gained him the 2020 Puskas Award and can without end be etched in Premier League folklore.
After receiving the ball on the sting of his personal penalty space, Son turned and drove ahead.
Burnley gamers converged on the speedster, however one after the other they fell away as he sprinted nearly 70 yards with the ball at his toes.
With simply the goalkeeper to beat, he slotted into the nook – and nonetheless had the power left to wheel off and rejoice.
This was the quintessential Son objective: lightning tempo, fearless dribbling, and a cool end on the finish of all of it.
The gang rose to its toes in disbelief, Jose Mourinho seemed on smiling in awe, and even opposition followers applauded.
2. Stepping up on the largest stage
Manchester Metropolis 4-3 Tottenham – Champions League Quarter-Ultimate, April 17, 2019
Few objectives carry as a lot weight in Tottenham’s trendy historical past as Son’s first strike on that unforgettable night time on the Etihad.
In a chaotic opening 10 minutes that noticed 4 objectives scored, Son’s cool composure stood out, because it all the time has finished.
After chopping inside from the left, he unleashed a wonderfully struck curling effort that sailed into the far nook past Ederson.
It was his second objective of the night time, following up an earlier strike that levelled the tie.
These objectives finally proved to be extremely essential as Spurs progressed on away objectives to achieve the semi-finals for the primary time of their historical past.
Within the warmth of a nerve-shredding Champions League tie, Son’s willingness to take duty was simply one more reason for followers to fall in love with him.
These objectives not solely despatched Spurs on their technique to the ultimate later that season however cemented his status as a big-game participant.
3. Wondergoal at Wembley
Tottenham 3-1 Chelsea – Premier League, November 24, 2018
Tottenham have usually struggled towards Chelsea however that modified in 2018, thanks partially to Son’s gorgeous solo effort.
Selecting up the ball on the suitable wing, he drove at Chelsea’s defence, minimize inside, and positioned a easy end previous Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The standard of the objective is why it’s remembered so fondly at Spurs – in addition to the truth that it was towards Chelsea, however it as soon as once more proved Son’s world-class skills.
That strike additionally embodied Son’s directness – the form of relentless attacking mentality that gave Tottenham a innovative throughout Mauricio Pochettino’s peak years.
4. The Rocket towards Arsenal
Tottenham 2-0 Arsenal – Premier League, December 6, 2020
If there may be one factor assured to make you a hero at Spurs, it’s scoring towards Arsenal.
Son has finished it a number of occasions, however his objective within the behind-closed-doors North London derby of 2020 stands above the remaining.
Capitalising on a mistake from Sead Kolasinac, Son despatched a surprising curling effort from distance over Bernd Leno.
It was completely executed in a high-pressure recreation and got here at a time when Spurs wanted a spark to show their season round.
That objective was as a lot about composure because it was about talent – a trademark of Son’s recreation. Even with out the roar of a packed Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, followers watching at house erupted in delight.
5. Wembley once more
Tottenham 3-0 Borussia Dortmund – Champions League Spherical of 16, February 13, 2019
The primary leg of this Champions League tie was hanging within the stability till Son, as so usually, delivered.
Barely two minutes into the second half, Jan Vertonghen’s good cross discovered Son on the again publish.
Timing his run to perfection, he lashed house a first-time volley that despatched Spurs on their technique to a cushty 3-0 win.
It wasn’t essentially the most spectacular objective on this checklist, however it symbolised one thing deeper: Son’s sense of event.
In a good contest, he produced the breakthrough, displaying that uncommon skill to be decisive in Europe’s largest competitions. Spurs went on to achieve the ultimate that season, one thing that may not have been achieved with out their No.7.
An immortal legacy
As Tottenham put together to bid farewell, Son’s affect goes far past these 5 iconic strikes. Over ten years, he has given the membership unforgettable recollections.
173 objectives and 101 assists throughout all competitions, whereas changing into the primary Asian participant to win the Premier League Golden Boot
A historic Europa League triumph as captain, ending a 17-year trophy drought.
And a spot within the report books for essentially the most mixed objectives with Harry Kane in Premier League historical past, rating them because the deadliest duo ever seen in England.
However maybe Son’s best contribution lies in his character. At all times smiling, all the time humble, he has been a beacon of professionalism and sportsmanship.
Whether or not scoring a marvel objective at Turf Moor or consoling a distraught opponent after an damage, Son epitomised the values that made him universally revered.
As he prepares to swap North London for a new challenge in Los Angeles, Son leaves behind a legacy few gamers can match.
From the shy younger ahead who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, to the worldwide celebrity who captained Spurs to silverware in 2025, his journey has been certainly one of development, resilience, and magic.
Tottenham followers will hope that his farewell recreation, more likely to be in Seoul towards Newcastle, provides one remaining second of brilliance. No matter occurs, his identify will dwell without end within the membership’s historical past.
