Some of Heung-min Son’s Tottenham Hotspur teammates have taken to social media to congratulate him after he helped South Korea to a gold medal in the Asian Games.
The victory means that the 26-year-old secured an exemption from military service – along with his South Korea teammates when they beat Japan 2-1 in extra time to create absolute scenes among Spurs fans and Sonny’s homeland.
If they had failed to have won gold, it would have been a different story. All able-bodied South Korean men must complete 21 months of service in the military as a deterrent against the North, but exemptions are offered to athletes who win gold at the Asian Games or a medal of any colour at the Olympics.
Tottenham allowed Son to miss their Premier League games against Fulham, Manchester and tomorrow’s at Watford to compete in the tournament, a decision which has now been worth its weight in gold – no pun intended.
Here’s a selection of reaction from some of the players he shares a dressing room with at Spurs.
