Son Heung-min Faces Surgery for Facial Fracture... World Cup Participation in Doubt (Comprehensive)

Fracture Around Left Eye, Surgery Followed by Rehabilitation with Tottenham Medical Team
'Cheongcheonbyeokryeok' for South Korea National Team Ahead of 2022 Qatar World Cup

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Son Heung-min will undergo surgery for a facial fracture. His club, Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League (EPL), announced on their website on the 3rd (Korean time) that he will have surgery to stabilize a fracture around his left eye. Tottenham stated, "Son Heung-min will begin rehabilitation with the club's medical staff after the surgery," and added, "Further updates will be provided at an appropriate time."

In cases of orbital fractures, surgery and rehabilitation typically require 6 to 8 weeks. Accordingly, it is expected to be difficult for Son Heung-min, the captain of the South Korean national team, to participate in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The World Cup is set to begin on the 21st. Paulo Bento, the head coach of the South Korean national team, plans to announce the final squad of 26 players on the 12th and depart for the tournament location with the team in the early hours of the 14th.

As the central figure in attack and a mental pillar, Son Heung-min's absence would be a serious loss to the team's strength. Since the 2016-2017 season, Son has scored double-digit goals in official matches every season. In the 2021-2022 season, he shared the EPL Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), scoring 23 goals, making new history for Asian football beyond South Korea.

Son Heung-min collided forcefully with Chancel Mbemba's shoulder while contesting an aerial ball during the final group stage match of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) against Marseille, France, the previous day. He suffered a nosebleed, and his nose and the area around his eye became severely swollen. Son checked his condition with medical staff and was substituted in the 27th minute of the first half.

Tottenham secured a 2-1 comeback victory to clinch a spot in the round of 16. After the match, Son Heung-min took a group photo with his teammates in the locker room. He wore a faint smile, but his left eye was swollen to the point that he could barely open it.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.