Football: South Korea's Son to have facial surgery, putting World Cup in doubt
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Tottenham's Son Heung-Min Son receives medical assistance during the Champions League match against Olympique Marseille.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Follow topic:
LONDON – Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday said forward Son Heung-min will undergo surgery on a fracture around his left eye, putting the South Korean star’s World Cup participation at risk.
The 30-year-old was forced off following an aerial clash with Chancel Mbemba during the first half of Spurs’ 2-1 win over Marseille on Tuesday that secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
He required lengthy treatment on the pitch before being substituted and walking unsteadily down the tunnel.
“We can confirm that Son Heung-Min will undergo surgery to stabilise a fracture around his left eye,” Spurs said in a statement.
“Following surgery, Son will commence rehabilitation with our medical staff and we shall update supporters further in due course.”
The English Premier League club gave no date for his return, but he faces a race against time to be fit for South Korea’s opening match of the Qatar World Cup against Uruguay on Nov 24.
History suggests that such an injury may not be as serious as it seems. Manchester City playmaker Kevin de Bruyne also fractured his eye socket and nose in the 2021 Champions League final against Chelsea but he was still able to play for Belgium at the European Championship within three weeks.
Following Son’s injury, South Korean fans have subjected Mbemba to a torrent of abuse online, some of it racist, and demanded he apologise to Son. The Congolese player’s Instagram page was flooded with thousands of messages in both English and Korean.
“You must apologise to Son, his World Cup dream is over now,” said one typical message.
“Don’t you feel ashamed of your disrespectful actions against Son?“ said another.
Other posts contained expletives and several were racist.
But there was support also for the 28-year-old Mbemba, with one post saying: “I am also one of the Koreans who is upset by Son Heung-min’s injury, but I am one who knows that it was not your intention.
“It was an accident that could happen during a soccer game. I hope you don’t get hurt by malicious comments.”
Son, arguably the most high-profile Asian footballer in the current era, is his country’s captain and a national icon thanks to his exploits for both club and country.
He has scored 35 goals in 104 international appearances and won gold at the Asian Games in 2018, a medal which secured him an exemption from mandatory national service.
South Korea also face Portugal and Ghana in Group H.
National teammate and left-back Kim Jin-su, meanwhile, remains optimistic about Son’s situation.
“I contacted Heung-min yesterday and this morning,” he told South Korean daily Chosun Ilbo on Thursday. “I said it would work out, and Heung-min said it would work out. I told him to think positively.
“I know how big an injury it is. But Heung-min is such a responsible friend and he is a player who represents Korea, so I won’t give up easily and I don’t think Heung-min won’t be able to play.”
Son, who was last season’s Premier League top scorer alongside Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah with 23 goals each, seems certain to miss Tottenham’s league clash with Liverpool on Sunday. Spurs are already missing forward Richarlison and winger Dejan Kulusevski.
Antonio Conte’s men also face Nottingham Forest in the League Cup and Leeds United before club football breaks for the World Cup. AFP, REUTERS
