Son Heung-min recently appeared on the YouTube show “TEO,” where he discussed the ongoing debate about his status as a “world-class” player. However, the recent “free-kick controversy” at Tottenham Hotspur has fueled criticism that Son’s amiable nature has led some to perceive him as a player who can be easily overlooked or taken lightly. (Image from the YouTube channel TEO)
SEOUL, Sept. 4 (Korea Bizwire) – Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min, a pivotal figure in South Korean soccer, recently shared his thoughts on what it means to be truly “world-class” during an appearance on a popular YouTube entertainment show.
In the episode of “Salon Drip 2″ released on September 3, Son responded to host Jang Do-yeon’s inquiry about whether he considers himself world-class.
“I haven’t heard this question much lately,” Son mused, before elaborating, “As I’ve said before, there’s no debate about who’s world-class. A genuinely world-class player is beyond dispute.”
The forward, who has become a household name in both England and his native South Korea, defined world-class as “the best soccer player in the world.”
He pointed to the universal acclaim for players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, stating, “If there’s even a hint of doubt when someone asks if Son Heung-min is world-class, then I don’t think I am.”
Son heung-min (yonhap)
Son’s humility shone through as he shared his ultimate ambition. “My dream is to become the best soccer player in the world,” he said. “Some might think I’ve already achieved my dream, but I’m still running forward, working hard to reach it.”
The interview also touched on Son’s admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, whom he once again named as his role model.
When presented with a hypothetical choice between playing the video game League of Legends with esports star Faker or having a penalty shootout with Ronaldo, Son chose the latter without hesitation. “I could see how he kicks the ball up close and learn from him. It was an easy choice,” he explained.
Son also addressed a viral moment from March when he encouraged his teammates during World Cup qualifier training in Thailand, saying, “The grass isn’t good? Just think it’s good!”
He laughed, “That was just something I said to my friends about the poor field conditions. It became a perfect meme.” He added, “I’m naturally positive and optimistic. You need to have confidence.”
The YouTube video featuring Son garnered over 600,000 views within six hours of its release, with more than 2,000 comments praising both the show’s ability to secure such a high-profile guest and Son’s candid responses.
Meanwhile, Son joined the national team for training at Goyang Sports Complex on September 3, preparing for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
He was joined by other Korean stars including Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), and Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
The training session, originally scheduled for 5 p.m., was pushed back to 7 p.m. to accommodate players like Son and Lee who had just arrived from overseas.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
