Departure of Spurs Captain Son in Tears on emotional evening while Tottenham Newcastle draws


Left Tottenham Captain Son Heung-Min was in tears and his teammates threw him in the air on Sunday on an emotional evening in his native South Korea.

Spurs attracted 1-1 with Newcastle in a pre-season friendly in Seoul, but that was secondary to the farewell of the 33-year-old attacker.

There was also the unfortunate sight of James Maddison who was stretched with what manager Thomas Frank said that «probably a bad injury was» on his knee.

In what his last game could be for the Noord -Londers, SON played 65 minutes, but did not score in the Seoul World Cup Stadium, one day after announcing his decision to leave Tottenham after a decade this summer.

He left the field on a thunderous ovation of nearly 65,000 fans, hugged his teammates and even his opponents.

The captain of Zuid -Korea was caught twice offside in the beginning, because his teammates tried to create opportunities for him, but he did not really claim the game.

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Son was replaced by Mohammed Kudus in the 65th minute and he walked away in tears while thousands of fans sang his name.

«I didn’t think I would cry first,» Son said.

“But after hearing a few words from my teammates, leaving the club with which I spent so much time, I felt really tough.

«I felt very happy with playing this game. Thanks to my fans, my teammates and also my opponents, I had an unforgettable day.»

Son Heung-Min van Tottenham Hotspur reacts after wiping his tears during the pre-season-friendly between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United in the Seoul World Cup Stadium on 3 August 2025 in Seoul, South Korea. | Photocredit: Getty images

Son Heung-Min van Tottenham Hotspur reacts after wiping his tears during the pre-season-friendly between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United in the Seoul World Cup Stadium on 3 August 2025 in Seoul, South Korea. | Photocredit: Getty images

Son, who is connected to Lafc in Major League Soccer, refused to reveal his next destination and said, «Nothing has been completed.»

Frank said he enjoyed the «incredible, beautiful scenes» that son had with players from both sides on his way of the field.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said that the reaction of his players at the end of Son’s Night was not planned.

«I think it was very instinctive of the players,» said Howe.

«I think that volumes for him as a person and him as a football player speaks that both teams recognize the way he played the game.»

The right-wing strike by Brennan Johnson opened the score for Tottenham in the fourth minute, and the Welsh Forward brought a tribute to the son by simulating the camera celebration of the South Korean star.

Harvey Barnes came off in the 38th minute and defeated Antonin Kinsky with a shot with the right foot that went out of the post.



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