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 accomplished South Korean professional footballer, currently playing as a left winger for Los Angeles FC and captaining the South Korea national team. Celebrated for his exceptional speed, finishing ability, and two-footed proficiency, he has achieved the distinction of being the top Asian goalscorer in both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League. He is widely considered the greatest Asian player ever.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

October 2010: First League Goal

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

March 2013: Winning goal against Qatar

On 23 March 2013, Son Heung-min came on as a substitute in the 81st minute and scored the winning goal in the 96th minute against Qatar.

September 2015: Scored a hat-trick against Laos

On 3 September 2015, Son scored a hat-trick in an 8–0 home win over Laos in the second round of qualification for the 2018 World Cup, which took place at the Hwaseong Stadium.

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

In April 2017, Son Heung-min won the Premier League Player of the Month for the second time, becoming the only player in the 2016-17 season to win the award twice.

November 2017: Top Asian Goalscorer in Premier League History

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

January 2018: Scoring Streak

On January 13, 2018, Son Heung-min matched the club record of scoring in five consecutive home games against Everton.

2018: FIFA World Cup 2018 & Asian Games Gold

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

April 2019: First European competition goal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

On 9 April 2019, Son Heung-min 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, securing Tottenham a 4–4 aggregate win and a spot in the semi-finals for the first time since 1962.

November 2019: Man of the Match against West Ham

On 23 November 2019, Son Heung-min scored Tottenham's first goal with José Mourinho as manager, earning him Man-of-the-match in a 3–2 Spurs victory against West Ham.

2019: FIFA Puskás Award

In 2019, Son scored a solo effort 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: Premier League Goal of the Month Award

In January 2020, Son Heung-min was awarded the Premier League goal of the month for December for his goal against Burnley.

February 2020: First Asian footballer to score 50 Premier League goals

On 16 February 2020, Son Heung-min scored two goals at Villa Park, earning a 3–2 victory for Tottenham, and became the first Asian footballer to score 50 goals in the Premier League, with 51 scored goals in 151 Premier League matches. During the same game in February 2020, Son played the full game despite suffering a fracture to his arm early on.

November 2020: Premier League Player of the Month award

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

December 2020: FIFA Puskás Award

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

2020: FIFA Puskás Award

In 2020, Son Heung-min won the FIFA Puskás Award for scoring a solo goal in the league.

January 2021: 100th goal for Tottenham

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

2021: Premier League Golden Boot Award

In the 2021-2022 season, Son Heung-min jointly won the Premier League Golden Boot award with 23 goals, becoming the first Asian player to win it.

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.

August 2025: Moved to Los Angeles FC

On 6 August 2025, Son Heung-min moved to Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC in a deal worth $26.5 million, an MLS record, departing Tottenham Hotspur after 10 years.

September 2025: Became one of the most capped players for South Korea

On 9 September 2025, Son started against Mexico in an international friendly at Geodis Park in Nashville, joining current manager (then player) Hong Myung-bo and Cha Bum-kun in becoming the most capped player for the South Korean national team with 136 appearances, marking a historic milestone in his international career.