Son Heung-min's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Son Heung-min. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Son Heung-min is a South Korean professional footballer renowned for his exceptional skill as a left winger. He currently plays for Los Angeles FC and captains the South Korea national team. Celebrated for his speed, precise finishing, ambidextrous ability, and playmaking skills, Son holds the distinction of being the highest-scoring Asian player in both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League. He is generally considered the greatest Asian footballer ever.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2004: Matches Jermain Defoe's record

In January 2018, Son Heung-min matched the club record set in 2004 by Jermain Defoe of scoring in five consecutive home games.

October 2010: First Bundesliga Goal

On 30 October 2010, Son Heung-min scored his first league goal against 1. FC Köln, becoming the youngest Hamburg player to score in the Bundesliga at 18.

September 2015: Hat-trick against Laos

On September 3, 2015, Son Heung-min scored a hat-trick in an 8-0 win over Laos in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.

September 2016: Premier League Player of the Month

In September 2016, Son Heung-min was named the Premier League Player of the Month, the first South Korean and first Asian to receive the award. Earlier in September, he scored two goals and created a third in a 4-0 win against Stoke City, then scored another brace against Middlesbrough.

2016: Second Premier League Player of the Month Award

In the 2016-2017 season, Son Heung-min won the Premier League Player of the Month award for the second time.

April 2017: Second Premier League Player of the Month Award

On 12 May 2017, it was announced that Son Heung-min had won the Premier League Player of the Month for April 2017, becoming the only player in the 2016–17 season to win the award twice. He also scored the winning goal against Swansea on April 5th.

September 2017: World Cup Qualification

In September 2017, Son was part of the team that qualified for the 2018 World Cup after a 0-0 draw against Uzbekistan.

November 2017: Top Asian Goalscorer in Premier League History

On 5 November 2017, Son Heung-min became the top Asian goalscorer in Premier League history with 20 goals, breaking the record set by Park Ji-Sung.

January 2018: Matches club record

On 13 January 2018, Son Heung-min scored a goal and provided an assist against Everton, matching Jermain Defoe's club record of scoring in five consecutive home games.

2018: 2018 Asian Games Gold Medal

In 2018, Son Heung-min captained South Korea at the Asian Games, securing a gold medal after a 2-1 victory over Japan in the final, exempting the squad from mandatory military service.

February 2019: Scored first goal against Borussia Dortmund in Champions League

On 13 February 2019, Son scored the first goal in a 3–0 win over Borussia Dortmund, in the first leg of the round of 16, UEFA Champions League, and at the end of February he was named Premier League Player of the Year at the London Football Awards.

April 2019: Scored first European competition goal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

On 9 April 2019, Son scored the first European competition goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a 1–0 win against Manchester City in the quarterfinals of the 2018–19 Champions League. He also became the highest scoring Asian player in the history of the tournament with 12 goals.

2019: FIFA Puskás Award

In 2019, Son Heung-min scored a solo goal in the league that earned him the FIFA Puskás Award.

2019: Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40

Since 2019, Son Heung-min has been listed in Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40.

January 2020: Awarded Premier League Goal of the Month for December

In January 2020, Son was awarded the Premier League goal of the month for December for his goal against Burnley, eventually winning him the Goal of the Season award.

February 2020: Became first Asian footballer to score 50 Premier League goals

On 16 February 2020, Son scored two goals at Villa Park and earned a 3–2 victory for Tottenham, in which he became the first Asian footballer to score 50 goals in the Premier League, with 51 scored goals in 151 Premier League matches.

November 2020: Received third Premier League Player of the Month award

On 13 November 2020, based on his performances, Son received his third Premier League Player of the Month award.

December 2020: Received FIFA Puskás Award for best goal

In December 2020, Son's goal against Burnley was further recognised by FIFA with a Puskás Award as the best goal of the past 12 months.

2020: FIFA Puskás Award

In 2020, Son Heung-min earned the FIFA Puskás Award for a solo goal.

January 2021: Scored 100th goal for Tottenham

On 2 January 2021, Son scored his 100th goal for Tottenham in the 3–0 win against Leeds.

June 2022: Order of Sport Merit

In June 2022, Son Heung-min received the Order of Sport Merit, Cheongnyong class, for his achievements in football.

April 2023: 100 Premier League goals

In April 2023, Son Heung-min became the first Asian player to score 100 Premier League goals.

2024: Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 Rank

In 2024, Son Heung-min ranked second in Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40.

September 2025: Most Capped Player for South Korea

On September 9, 2025, Son Heung-min became the most capped player for the South Korean national team with 136 appearances, equalling Hong Myung-bo and Cha Bum-kun.