Son Heung-min Speaks Out After 'Lee Kang-in Controversy': "The Toughest Week of My Life"

"I have had the toughest week of my life since the Asian Cup elimination."

Son Heung-min (Tottenham), captain of the South Korea national football team, who suffered from the failure to win the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup and internal controversy, spoke for the first time about his feelings after the Asian Cup in an interview with Tottenham's club channel 'Spurs Play' on the 16th (local time). The 11-minute and 22-second interview was conducted in English.

Photo by Yonhap News

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Son said, "It was a tough week, but my teammates, fans, and coaching staff encouraged me," adding, "Thanks to them, I was able to come back as 'positive Sonny'."

During the return match against Brighton in the English Premier League (EPL) on the 11th, Son Heung-min was substituted in and received a warm standing ovation. Son recalled, "I did not expect it; it was amazing. When you are welcomed like that, it feels like coming home," and added, "I was still in pain and distress after the tournament (Asian Cup), so I think that’s why." He continued, "Receiving such a welcome is a tremendous honor. I want to say thank you. It was probably the toughest week of my life, but the fans made me happy and gave me strength again," and expressed his gratitude again, saying, "It will be a moment I will never forget in my life, until I die. It made me think that I have to do anything to help the team win."

Son Heung-min, who was substituted in at the 17th minute of the second half that day, assisted Brennan Johnson’s goal during 6 minutes of added time, leading the team to a 2-1 comeback victory. Tottenham, currently 4th in the league (47 points, 14 wins, 5 draws, 5 losses), will face Wolverhampton at midnight on the 18th. The 'Korean Derby' between Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan is highly anticipated.

On the evening of the 6th, the day before the Asian Cup match against Jordan, Son Heung-min had a physical altercation with Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) during dinner. When younger players including Lee Kang-in were noisily playing table tennis in the lounge next to the restaurant, Son tried to stop them, but Lee resisted, leading to a dispute. During this incident, Son’s finger was dislocated. On the 14th, British media Football London reported, "Son Heung-min was suffering from a finger injury," and noted, "Even before shaking hands with teammates after returning to Tottenham Hotspur, he showed caution by informing them of his injury."

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