Returned after missing 3 weeks, then missed again
9 injuries in the last 5 years… Hamstrings only 5 times
Son Heung-min attempts a breakthrough in the second match between Korea and Oman in the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup Asian Region 3rd Group B Group Stage match against Oman held at the Sultan Qaboos Stadium in Muscat, Oman on the 10th (Korean time). I’m doing it. (Provided by the Korea Football Association) 2024.9.10″/>
Son Heung-min (32, Tottenham) was a strong player, but he is increasingly absent.
Son Heung-min missed the third match of the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League (UEL) league phase against Alkmaar (Netherlands) held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England on the 25th (Korean time).
Son Heung-min disappeared again just one game after returning from injury.
Son Heung-min was replaced due to a hamstring injury during the first match of the UEL against Karabakh on the 27th of last month. Afterwards, he missed the second match against Ferencvaros, as well as the English Premier League (EPL) match against Manchester United and Brighton, and was absent for about three weeks.
In addition, he was excluded from the national team A’s two-game convocation for the North and Central America World Cup 3rd qualifying round held during this period, and was unable to join the national team for 2 years and 8 months after 2022.
Son Heung-min, who had only focused on rehabilitation in London, appeared to have made a successful return by scoring a goal in the 8th round of the English Premier League (EPL) against West Ham United on the 19th.
However, coach Enze Postecoglou removed Son Heung-min from the lineup ahead of the Alkmaar match, saying he complained of pain again.
Son Heung-min, the leading striker for Tottenham and the national team, has been highly evaluated for consistently showing his best performance, including as the top scorer in the EPL in the 2021-22 season. So the recent frequent injuries and resulting poor condition are unfamiliar.
Son Heung-min’s injury frequency has definitely increased.
In the 10 years from 2010 to 2019, Son Heung-min was injured a total of 5 times. However, in the last five years, from 2020 to 2024, he was injured nine times. There were injuries caused by the opponent’s blows, such as a broken arm and facial fracture, but it is noteworthy that the hamstring injury was repeated five times.
Not only the number of injuries but also the recovery trend is worrisome. In the past, even when Son Heung-min was injured, he returned to play earlier than expected and showed off his health with consistent performance, earning him the nickname ‘Iron Man’.
But this time was different. Even though he returned after focusing only on rehabilitation and rest, he withdrew again after just one game. Under the circumstances, it may be a rest rather than a recurrence of a major injury, but it is true that the recovery rate is different compared to before.
Son Heung-min is a sprinter type striker who utilizes speed. Gives strength by instantaneously exploding muscle strength. So, as you get injured frequently or get older, there are limits to maintaining your previous skills.
Born in 1992, I am already 32 years old. As with all legends in history, inevitably, as they grow older, their performances will be far from those of their prime. Son Heung-min has always been fast, threatening and lived up to expectations, but that cannot last forever. He also indirectly expressed that he was standing in front of the road leading down from the peak.
After the West Ham game, Son Heung-min said, “Sadly, I am now 32 years old. Past games don’t come back. He made a meaningful comment, saying, “I want to play every remaining game as if it were the last of my career.” It is a time when fans also need to accept that they have no choice but to come down little by little from the peak.
(Seoul = News 1)