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 highly regarded South Korean professional footballer renowned for his exceptional skill as a forward. He captains both Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and the South Korean national team. Celebrated as one of the best wingers globally and one of the greatest Asian footballers ever, Son is known for his impressive speed, clinical finishing ability with both feet, and adeptness at connecting plays.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2001: Most expensive Asian player

On 28 August 2015, upon signing with Tottenham Hotspur, Son Heung-min broke the record held since 2001 by Japanese Hidetoshi Nakata for the most expensive Asian player in football history.

2004: Matched club record

On 13 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 League Goal for Hamburg

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

2010: First Round of 16 since 2010

Due to his assist to Hwang Hee-chan in a shock 2-1 victory against Portugal on 2 December, Son lead South Korea to its first round of 16 since 2010.

2011: Scored First International Goal

At the 2011 AFC Asian Cup tournament finals, Son scored his first international goal during a 4–1 group stage win against India, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the AFC Asian Cup history.

2011: Season 2011-2012

During the 2011-12 season, Son Heung-min made 30 appearances for Hamburg and scored five goals. He recovered quickly from an ankle injury sustained on 27 August in a 4-3 loss to 1. FC Köln, returning to action three weeks later on 17 September.

November 2013: Hat-trick against Hamburgers SV

On 9 November 2013, Son Heung-min scored a hat-trick for Leverkusen in a 5–3 win against his former club, Hamburgers SV.

February 2015: Hat-trick against VfL Wolfsburg

On 14 February 2015, Son Heung-min scored a hat-trick against VfL Wolfsburg in a 4-5 defeat.

August 2015: Joined Tottenham Hotspur

On 28 August 2015, Son Heung-min joined Tottenham Hotspur for £22 million (€30 million) on a five-year contract, becoming the most expensive Asian player in football history.

September 2015: Hat-trick against Laos

On 3 September 2015, playing at Hwaseong Stadium, Son Heung-min scored a hat-trick in an 8–0 victory for South Korea against Laos. This match was part of the second round of qualification for the 2018 World Cup.

September 2016: Premier League Player of the Month

In September 2016, Son Heung-min was named the Premier League Player of the Month, becoming the first South Korean and first Asian to receive the award.

April 2017: Premier League Player of the Month

On 12 May 2017, it was announced that Son Heung-min had won the Premier League Player of the Month for April, becoming the only player in the 2016-17 season to win the award twice.

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, breaking the record set by Park Ji-Sung.

January 2018: Scored in five consecutive home games

On 13 January 2018, Son Heung-min scored a goal and provided an assist in a game against Everton, matching the club record set in 2004 by Jermain Defoe of scoring in five consecutive home games.

October 2018: Scored Brace in 150th Game for Tottenham

In October 2018, Son scored a brace in his 150th game for Tottenham in the 2018–19 EFL Cup match against West Ham.

2018: 2018 FIFA World Cup and Asian Games

In 2018, Son Heung-min represented South Korea at the FIFA World Cup and the Asian Games, where the team won gold.

2018: 2018 Asian Games Gold Medal

In 2018, Son was chosen as one of the overage players for the under-23 team at the Asian Games in Indonesia. He captained the team, scored the only goal against Kyrgyzstan in the group stage, and led them to the final. South Korea won the gold medal match against Japan 2–1 in extra time, with Son assisting in both goals, which granted the entire squad exemption from mandatory military service.

February 2019: Scored Against Borussia Dortmund and Named Premier League Player of the Year

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. At the end of February 2019, he was named Premier League Player of the Year at the London Football Awards.

April 2019: Scored First European Goal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Became Highest Scoring Asian Player

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. In the return leg in April 2019, Son scored twice to earn Tottenham a 4–4 aggregate win and help the club reach the semi-finals. His brace also saw him become the highest scoring Asian player in the history of the tournament with 12 goals.

2019: Listed in Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40

Since 2019, Son Heung-min has been listed in Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40, recognizing his achievements and influence in South Korea.

January 2020: Awarded Premier League Goal of the Month

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, despite suffering a fracture to his arm.

November 2020: Received Third Premier League Player of the Month Award

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

December 2020: Received FIFA Puskás Award

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.

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.

2021: Premier League Golden Boot award

In the 2021-22 season, Son Heung-min won the Premier League Golden Boot award with 23 goals, becoming the first Asian player to achieve this.

June 2022: Received Cheongnyong Medal

In June 2022, Son Heung-min received the Cheongnyong Medal, the highest order of merit for achievement in sports given to a South Korean citizen, recognizing his achievements in football.