Farewell to ten years: Son Heung-min turns around and leaves, what is left to Tottenham?

Under the night sky in Seoul, Son Heung-min bid farewell to Tottenham with tears in his eyes. This is not only his last game on behalf of the team, but also the end of a decade-long chapter of dedication and touching, and it also leaves a huge gap that is irreparable for Tottenham.

Ten years, he played 454 times for Tottenham, scored 173 goals, sent 101 assists, and won the hearts of millions of fans with the team. Now, all of this has turned into tears when parting. Instead of choosing a high-profile press conference or statement, Son Heung-min ended his Tottenham career with an emotional silent ceremony in front of tens of thousands of compatriots at home in Seoul.

This friendly match with Newcastle finally shook hands 1-1, but for Tottenham fans, the emotional weight of this day was far heavier than any trophy.

is not just a goal: the farewell of the soul character

The game was in the 65th minute, and Son Heung-min was replaced. A touching scene followed: players from both sides lined up to form a "farewell channel" for him - this is rare in modern football and is usually reserved for legendary characters. He solemnly returned the captain's armband to Ben Davis, hugged his teammates and opponents one by one, then slowly walked towards the bench and covered his face with both hands. Although this 33-year-old veteran has experienced countless peak moments, he still cannot suppress his sobs during parting.

Sun Heung-min admitted: "I didn't expect to cry. But when my teammates said those words to me, I felt really uncomfortable." His tears were not only a farewell to a past, but also the end of an era. Tottenham fans have reason to ask: If you lose him, where will the team go?

People can list his brilliant data: 173 goals, including 127 goals in the Premier League, the Golden Boot Awards in the 2021-22 season, and 101 assists... However, these numbers are just the tip of the iceberg that Son Heung-min contributed. He is not only the world's top offensive player, but also the pulse of his emotions in Tottenham's ten-year turbulent years.

Growing from an Asian star to a global idol, Son Heung-min grew up with Tottenham. He went through Pochettino, Mourinho, Nuno, Conte, Postcoglu, and today's Thomas Frank era. He is the link between different eras, the spiritual bridge between the new generation of players such as Brennan Johnson after Harry Kane left the team, and the soul of the team that has always pursued the Champions League dream and finally regained the glory of the UEFA Cup 17 years later. After Kane left, Son Heung-min once again took on the offensive burden. In the 2023-24 season, he scored 17 goals in the Premier League and sent 10 assists. Although his goal efficiency declined last season, his influence on the team is still clearly visible: with him on the court, Tottenham's winning rate was as high as 42%; while the winning rate in the games he missed dropped sharply to just 7%.

More intuitive data comparison shows that when Son Heung-min appeared, he averaged 2.1 goals per game and averaged 1.4 points per game; when he was absent, he averaged only 1.0 goals per game and averaged 0.4 points per game. Behind these cold numbers is an indisputable fact: Son Heung-min is not only a "shocking player", but also an offensive organizer and a breakout in difficulties.

A gorgeous curtain call that coincides with the right time?

coach Thomas Frank described this farewell in Seoul as "a beautiful end point", which is true. Son Heung-min left with a proud attitude after the team just won the trophy.

He did not wait until his condition declined and became a burden to the team before leaving the court in disgrace. He chose to turn around and leave when he was still the pride of the team - this is exactly the curtain call that legends should have. Coach Frank is facing a huge challenge: he not only needs to find a suitable replacement for Son Heung-min's position, but also needs to make up for the huge lack of spirit, emotion and influence. New aid Kudus joins for £55 million, which may bring new creativity to the team, but to become a symbol like Son Heung-min, he needs more - not only dribbling and goals, but also the qualities of leadership, humility and tenacity.

In the locker room that day, Son Heung-min said a few words to his teammates. The content is unknown, but it may not matter. Because Son Heung-min has long used his ten-year struggle, dedication, low-keyness and the posture of standing up again and again after falling down to say everything he wants to express.

Tottenham will eventually move forward, just like all the giants after losing their legend. But for Son Heung-min, it was more than just a simple transfer. This is the end of an era - a Korean boy who was once questioned for his skin color and background eventually became a symbol of awe-inspiring reputation in the entire English football world.

Perhaps, Tottenham needs to wait for a long time to welcome the next Son Heung-min.