The Sun

Attention,

Our system has indicated that your user behaviour is potentially automated.

News Group Newspapers Limited does not permit the access, collection, text or data mining of any content from our Service by any automated means whether directly or through an intermediary service. This is stated in our terms and conditions.

If you would like to inquire about the commercial use of our content, please contact crawlpermission@news.co.uk.

Why am I seeing this?

Occasionally, our system misinterprets human behaviour as automated. If you are a legitimate user, please contact our customer support team here help@thesun.co.uk

Error Message

News Group Newspapers prohibits automated access, collection, or text/data mining of its content, including for AI, machine learning, or LLMs, as per its terms. For commercial use inquiries, contact crawlpermission@news.co.uk.

SON HEUNG-MIN broke down in tears after what is expected to be his final Tottenham appearance following a decade at the club.

Son, 33, announced his exit in an emotional press conference a day before Spurs locked horns with Newcastle in South Korea on Sunday.

And what a fitting farewell it might have been while playing in front of his most ardent fans back in his homeland.

The Spurs captain was given an impromptu guard of honour by his team-mates and Newcastle players when subbed off in the 64th minute.

The crowd in the Seoul World Cup Stadium went wild as their hero hugged everyone on the Spurs bench and wept as the full impact of his goodbye hit home.

And the Spurs admin immediately tweeted: "Cheers Son's crying, nice one 😥."

Son instantly became teary eyed when his No7 was put up on the board with new signing Mohammed Kudus coming on to replace the forward.

The club legend was embraced by Spurs midfielder James Maddison and North London winger Brennan Johnson.

Premier League goalkeeper Antonín Kinský also ran up to take part in the tributes, as both sets of players lovingly slapped Son's back.

Newcastle's Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes got involved in the action, hugging the Tottenham ace.

BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK

It marked a huge change in temperament after Guimaraes somehow escaped a red card for strangling Cristian Romero in the first half.

But Son's tribute was marred with a shock injury to Maddison 19 minutes later following a routine challenge with Anthony Elanga.

Son was among those looking very concerned watching on after the England star was stretchered off in the 85th minute.

Son is widely-tipped to move to America, where MLS side LAFC want to make him their new marquee player.

Actor Park Seo-Joon, star of Oscar-winning Parasite and a close pal of Son, gave a touching tribute to his mate before kick-off from the centre circle, claiming the people of South Korea could not sleep after his exit-plan announcement.

A banner in the 66,000-strong crowd read ‘Sonny the Spurs legend’, while the man himself got choked up on the bench, presumably as the full impact of his exit dawned on him.

Brennan Johnson did Son’s trademark ‘camera pose’ celebration after netting opener inside four minutes.

But Harvey Barnes’ banger levelled the score, three minutes before Romero and Guimaraes’ scuffle.

Meanwhile, other fans were in disbelief by the amount of mistakes being made during the game.

Spurs will kick off their Premier League campaign away to Burnley on August 16.

SON HEUNG-MIN’S emotional farewell for Spurs was overshadowed by a serious-looking injury to close pal James Maddison.

The story of the day had been club legend Son breaking down in tears after being subbed off in what is expected to be his final appearance for Tottenham following a decade at the club.

But then good friend Maddison sadly became the focus after being carried off on a stretcher towards the end of the friendly against Newcastle in Seoul.

Son was among those watching on, looking very concerned for the England star, who had sustained the problem in a routine challenge with Anthony Elanga in the 83rd minute.

It was unclear if Maddison had even made contact with the Swede but instantly knew something was wrong as he put his hands on his head, waved to the bench and then crumpled in a heap, before being carted away.

Spurs boss Thomas Frank will be praying the injury is not as severe as it looked for Maddison, who is only just coming back from a knee ligament problem sustained in May.

The former England international was pictured on crutches after the match.

And Frank said: "We're pretty sure it was the same knee he injured before.

"I think sometimes in life and football things can be both beautiful and brutal. That's what we got today.

"It looks like with Madders a bad injury and then on the other side unbelievable scenes for Son from his team-mates and the respect from the Newcastle players.

"First we had the walkaround and then the team-mates gathered around and he was emotional. In the changing room it was more of the same.

"I just said a few things but not much because it's about Sonny and then he said a few things. It was beautiful."

Maddison had only just come off the bench shortly before his injury but the sub had to be replaced by South Korean youngster Yang Min-hyeok.

Compatriot Son, an idol to Yang and so many, had dropped a bombshell the day before the game by announcing his intention to quit the North Londoners this summer.

He is widely tipped to move to America, where MLS side LAFC want to make him their new marquee player.

The press conference revelation meant this friendly against Eddie Howe’s Alexander Isak-less Toon was always going to be more about a Son love-in than the action on the pitch.

It looks like with Madders a bad injury and then on the other side unbelievable scenes for Son from his team-mates and the respect from the Newcastle players.

Thomas Frank

Actor Park Seo-Joon, star of Oscar-winning Parasite and a close pal of Son, gave a touching tribute to his mate before kick-off from the centre circle, claiming the people of South Korea could not sleep after Son’s exit-plan announcement.

Chairman Daniel Levy shook Son’s hand as the two teams lined up, along with all the players, while Magpies star Anthony Gordon gave the Spurs skipper a big hug.

A trumpet in the crowd played the tune ‘Nice one Sonny’ song, to which the 66,000 fans added the words, while ‘Hey Jude’ was belted out over the loudspeaker, allowing fans to change the eponymous words to ‘Sonny’.

Brennan Johnson even did Son’s trademark camera-shot celebration after giving Spurs an early lead, much to the delight of his outgoing team-mate.

The hope had been that Son could cap the occasion with a goal, but unfortunately, he did not have any chances to make it happen, as Harvey Barnes’ banger on 38 minutes sealed a draw.

Son’s number was up in the 64th minute and the players on both sides formed an impromptu guard of honour as he came off.

The 33-year-old, who capped ten years at the club in May by finally winning a trophy with the Europa League triumph, hugged everyone on the Spurs bench as he came off.

Frank revealed: "I think it's very likely Sonny's last game because it's very close."

A banner in the 66,000-strong crowd read ‘Sonny the Spurs legend’, while the man himself got choked up on the bench, presumably as the full impact of his exit dawned on him.

Maddison, who had not taken to the pitch at that point, was among those to applaud and embrace his beloved team-mate.

But unfortunately, shortly afterwards, the England man became a talking point from the draw itself as he sustained his worrisome injury.

Son was crying again as he did a lap of honour in front of his most ardent fans after the final whistle.

With the capital of his homeland being a fitting location for his final game.

But being the nice guy so many of his team-mates have portrayed him to be, no doubt Son’s first thoughts will have been stricken-friend Maddison.

FOOTIE fans were left in disbelief by consecutive gaffes in Tottenham's pre-season friendly match with Newcastle.

The Premier League rivals locked horns in a Seoul showdown on Sunday afternoon.

Spurs took an early lead in the fourth minute through winger Brennan Johnson.

And they should've doubled their advantage in the 17th minute through Mathys Tel.

Tel was set through on goal by a neat ball from Pedro Porro.

Toon defender Matt Targett should've cut out the pass but failed to do so.

Targett, hilariously, fell to the pitch as he tried to cut out the ball.

Tel bore down on goal and had the net, which was being guarded by Nick Pope, at his mercy.

But he produced the tamest of finishes, which was easily saved by the outstretched foot of Pope.

Footage of the incredible string of gaffes spread like wildfire on social media.

SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN

One footie fan said: "Mathys Tel recreating Sonny's iconic miss vs Man City to stop Arsenal from winning the league.

"Class from Tel."

Another said: "Just lob the goalie. So much space."

And another said: "I’m in disbelief at what I’ve just seen."

One remarked: "Surely Targett must be in breach of contract for incompetence."

Another chimed in: "Christ alive."

Spurs will kick off their Premier League campaign away to Burnley on August 16.

NEWCASTLE star Bruno Guimaraes was lucky to escape a red card after putting his hands round Cristian Romero’s throat in a pre-season friendly.

The feisty South Americans came to blows during Newcastle's 1-1 draw with Spurs in South Korea on Sunday.

The spat came just before half-time at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, following a running battle between the pair.

Guimaraes had ridden a wild challenge from Spurs vice-captain Romero just outside the penalty area.

The Brazilian was then shoved to the floor in the box by Romero when trying to make space as the Toon were on the attack.

Guimaraes reacted angrily to the push, getting up off the floor and putting both hands round Romero’s neck.

It would usually be a sending-off in the Premier League, and Romero was seen making that case to Guimaraes’ team-mate and fellow centre-back Fabian Schar.

But in light of this game being a pre-season friendly, ex-Lyon man Guimaraes escaped punishment.

The incident was a flash point during a lively first half which was largely a love-in to South Korean icon Son Heung-min, who announced before the game he intends to leave Spurs after ten years this summer.

Brennan Johnson netted an opener for Tottenham - doing Son’s trademark ‘camera pose’ in celebration - before Harvey Barnes’ banger levelled the score, three minutes before Romero and Guimaraes’ scuffle.

BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK

And fans were quick to react online, with one writing: "It's a friendly boys."

While a second said: "Romero definitely started it but in a Prem game Guimaraes would’ve been sent off."

A third added: "There's no such thing as a friendly 🤣."

Meanwhile, other fans were in disbelief by the amount of mistakes being made during the game.

Spurs will kick off their Premier League campaign away to Burnley on August 16.

TOTTENHAM star Son Heung-min was cradled like a baby by a 7ft 2in former MMA star at an open training session earlier today.

The South Korean superstar and his team-mates took part in the session at the home of Anyang FC in Seoul.

After training, Son was joined pitchside by Korean ex-MMA fighter Choi Hong-man.

The enormous wrestler competed in MMA between 2006 and 2016, and even fought arguably the greatest heavyweight of all time Fedor Emelianenko.

During the interaction, Choi picked Son up and began cradling him.

The Tottenham captain, not exactly small at 6ft, was in fits of giggles while being picked up, even sheepishly covering his face.

Spurs will take on Newcastle in front of 66,000 fans at Seoul World Cup Stadium, home of the South Korean national team, tomorrow.

The match is likely to be Son's last for Tottenham, after he announced that he will be leaving the club after 10 years earlier today.

Sitting alongside manager Thomas Frank, Son began an emotional press conference by saying: "I've decided to leave the club in the summer.

"And respectfully, the club is helping me with my decision.

BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK

"So I just want to share this information before we start the press conference."

On how he came to the decision, Son added: "It was the most difficult decision of my football career.

"I've been here ten years at a beautiful club with beautiful fans and having such amazing memories.

"And after all that, it was so hard to make this decision. But as I said, I feel like I need a new environment and to push myself.

"And to get more of me, I feel like I need a little bit of change. Ten years is a lot of time when you're thinking about it.

He added: "I came to London as a kid. 23-years-old, a very young age, [and] a young boy came to London who even didn't speak English.

"And [I'm] leaving this club as a grown man. This is a very, very proud moment.

"So I just wanna say thank you to all of the Spurs fans that gave me so much love.

"I felt like it was my home. But yeah, it was, it was one of the toughest decisions I've ever made."

A MODERN DAY LEGEND

Son signed for Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 aged 23 in a deal worth around £22million.

The popular forward went on to score 173 goals in 454 appearances for the North Londoners, placing him fourth on the club's all-time list of goalscorers.

Son was appointed club captain by former boss Ange Postecoglou in 2023.

The Tottenham legend went on to lift the Europa League trophy in May, as the club ended its 17-year drought.

On the timing of his White Hart Lane exit, Son said: "The goodbye is always also in a good timing. But I think it's the right time to make this decision.

"I hope that everybody understands my decision and I hope that everybody respects that."

Son has been strongly linked with a move to MLS side LAFC.

THE tears of joy at full-time of May's Europa League final were a tell-tale sign for Son Heung-min.

He knew his task was complete, that he could finally go down as a bonafide Spurs’ legend having ended the trophy curse.

And that it would be the perfect way to say goodbye.

No wonder all that emotion came pouring out as he wept like a baby in the arms of his father Son Woong-jung and close pal James Maddison on the Estadio de San Mames pitch.

Now Son has revealed that he is calling time on his decade with the North London club after his last game on Sunday, fittingly back home in Seoul.

It will technically be a pre-season friendly against Newcastle.

But in reality it will be a 90-minute love-in to the greatest Asian player to grace the Premier League in front of thousands of his most ardent fans.

Anyone who has attended a game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since it opened in 2019, and White Hart Lane before it during Sonny’s time at Spurs, will be well aware of the army of Korean supporters who regularly make the pilgrimage over to watch their icon.

It has become such an everyday experience that long ago we stopped remaking on just how amazing it is that one man can generate so much attention.

Korean flags are spotted at every home game and it is not uncommon to see fans filming solely Son throughout a whole match, reprising their own version of ‘playercam’ we used to see on Sky years ago.

When Spurs went on a pre-season tour to South Korea under Antonio Conte in 2022, the club claimed that 12 million of the country’s 51m population were Tottenham fans.

On home matchdays, the club regularly sell 700 ‘Son 7’ shirts.

He has been a commercial phenomenon, but much more than that, he has been a fantastic player who will go down as one of the finest in Premier League history, not just Tottenham’s.

Signed in 2015 from Bayer Leverkusen, he became the most expensive Asian player ever.

But his £22million transfer fee would soon be regarded as one of the biggest bargains the Prem had ever seen. Perhaps THE biggest, when you consider the commercial revenue he put into Tottenham’s coffers.

Son was not an instant hit in North London, though.

He only started 13 Premier League games in his first campaign, netting just four goals, and actually considered leaving the club after only one season and going back to Germany for more regular game-time.

The club did not want that, though, and so the “quiet, nice” winger, as his then-boss Mauricio Pochettino described Son, fought for his place and things started to turn.

He struck up a brilliant relationship, both on and off the pitch, with Harry Kane.

The pair would go on to smash the record for most Premier League goal combinations between two players, setting it at 47, a massive 11 above the next-best achieved by Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard at Chelsea.

Kane was the known as the goal-getter of the dynamic duo, going on to become the club’s record scorer with 280 before leaving for Bayern Munich two years ago for £86m.

But Son in his own right has become one of the most lethal marksmen the Premier League has ever seen.

Only 15 players have netted more than his 127 Prem strikes.

While the 23 he hit in the 2021-22 campaign - his best-ever haul - saw him share the golden boot award with Liverpool’s Mo Salah.

In total for Spurs he has racked up an enormous 173 goals and 101 assists during his 454 appearances, consistently performing under a range of managers with differing styles, from attack-minded Pochettino and Ange Postecoglou, to the pragmatic Conte and Jose Mourinho.

Son developed a reputation for kindness - former team-mate Gareth Bale once called him the “nicest man in football” - but with a steely determination, as well as his obvious quality.

That grit may well have been instilled by his “strict and scary” task-master father growing up, where he would make Son do keepy-uppies for four hours.

Though known as the David Beckham of South Korea, and though he has dated Korean pop-stars, Son has largely sacrificed his love life to get every ounce out of his talent.

He said back in 2019: “My father says this and I agree, (that) when you marry, the number one will be family, wife and kids, and then football. I want to make sure that while I play at the top level, football can be number one.”

His commitment helped the team reach the 2019 Champions League final, where they lost 2-0 to Liverpool, and the 2021 Carabao Cup final too, where they were defeated to Manchester City, and finally this year’s Europa League final, where they beat Manchester United 1-0.

He had been made captain by then by Postecoglou, though ironically did not look the same player as he had been in years gone by.

In truth, Son was never quite as good after Kane left, and injuries hampered his form last term - as did Spurs’ miserable Premier League results.

He is believed to have first considered leaving the club around Christmas.

After winning in Bilbao, putting a bow on his decade at the club, that became a strong desire and now the MLS, most likely, beckons.

After May’s final, having at long last capped his stellar Spurs career with silverware, Son joked that now “let’s say I’m a legend. Why not? Only today!”

The truth is he will bow out as one of the greatest players of the Premier League era, not just for Tottenham or from Asia, but for any club and from any continent.

DELE ALLI’S Italian dream is turning into a nightmare after reportedly being booted out of the Como squad.

The ex-England ace is now training on his own with his future at the club hanging by a thread.

Dele, 29, only joined the Serie A newcomers in January, hoping for one last career revival under Cesc Fabregas.

But just months later, the former Spurs star has reportedly been frozen out and could be shown the door.

Gazzetta dello Sport say that Fabregas no longer sees Dele in his plans for the season ahead.

The midfielder hasn’t kicked a ball in a competitive game since March and even then, it ended in disaster.

Dele came off the bench late against AC Milan at the San Siro and lasted just 10 minutes.

A challenge on England pal Ruben Loftus-Cheek saw VAR intervene and Dele shown a straight red.

Even Kyle Walker - who was playing for Milan - made a desperate plea to the ref but it couldn’t save him from an early bath.

He was banned for one match but hasn’t played since.

BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK

Fabregas kept him on the bench for the rest of the campaign.

Fitness issues, which have dogged Dele for years, also reportedly struck again.

Now, it's claimed he has been banished from the first team and is training away from the squad, alongside other unwanted players.

Como have moved on and are focusing on younger stars with better fitness records and fewer risks.

And Gazzetta suggest Dele will now consider retiring should he not find a new club soon.

KAI HAVERTZ was brilliantly skinned by Cristian Romero during Arsenal's friendly defeat to Tottenham.

But it was Djed Spence that ended up feeling the brunt of the incident.

Tottenham beat their fierce rivals 1-0 in Hong Kong courtesy of Pape Matar Sarr's sensational 45-yard strike at the new Kai Tak stadium.

During the first half, Romero embarrassed Arsenal forward Havertz.

Picking up the ball virtually on his own byline, the Argentine was closed down by his German opponent.

Calmness personified, Romero brilliantly skipped past Havertz.

As the defender waltzed away from the challenge, Havertz went sliding into unfortunate bystander Spence.

The 26-year-old caught the Spurs full-back's knee, but no action was taken by the referee.

After a few moments down on the turf, Spence was able to gingerly rise to his feet and continue.

The former Nottingham Forest star was one of several standout performers on the night, keeping Bukayo Saka and then Max Dowman very quiet for the Gunners.

BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK

Tottenham struck the post three times during the first half, via corners by Pedro Porro and Mohammed Kudus, then an effort by Wilson Odobert.

Sarr eventually broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, brilliantly lobbing stranded goalkeeper David Raya after dispossessing Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Arsenal had plenty of the ball during the second half of the encounter.

But even after a raft of Spurs substitutions, which included both Romero and Micky van de Ven going off, Mikel Arteta's side were unable to break through.

After the game, Tottenham boss Thomas Frank told the club's media team: "A 1-0 score against Arsenal is an absolutely beautiful score!

"Yes, it is a friendly, but it’s also a very competitive match. I said before the game that games against Arsenal are never ‘friendly’. It means everything.

"I have to give respect to both teams for their competitiveness in the game. It was very competitive.

"I was extremely happy with our first half, that first half was completely even.

"In many ways I loved the way the team performed, and throughout the game the defensive structure was top."

TOTTENHAM spoiled Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres welcome party thanks to a 45-YARD screamer from Pape Matar Sarr in the first overseas North London Derby.

And they mocked their bitter rivals on social media just after scooping their second trophy in the last three months.

Along with a post of the team celebrating winning the Hong Kong Football Festival tournament, Spurs' official X account read: "Another one for the trophy cabinet."

The Gunners brought on their £63.5m marquee summer signing in the 77th minute during the final outing of their Asia tour.

But by then, Mikel Arteta’s men were already desperate for an equaliser in Hong Kong – trailing to a stunning Sarr opener on the brink of half-time that left Arsenal’s players and coaching staff fuming.

Myles Lewis-Skelly looked to have been clearly fouled by Richarlison just inside Arsenal’s half, but the referee waved it away, allowing Sarr to notice David Raya was way off his line and lob into an empty net.

Arteta was raging in the technical area, sarcastically clapping the fourth official. Assistant Gabriel Heinze also had harsh words for the officials while Lewis-Skelly and Gunners skipper Martin Odegaard angrily gestured to the ref as they came off the pitch at half-time.

Frustrations came close to boiling over as Arteta had a mini-shoving match with Pedro Porro over a throw-in near the Arsenal dugout, but Thomas Frank’s Spurs held on for a morale-boosting victory ahead of the new season.

Gyokeres barely got a sniff with Arsenal struggling to test Tottenham keeper Guglielmo Vicario in both halves, and there was more bad news for Arteta as second-half sub Leandro Trossard limped off with a muscular injury after just 15 minutes of action.

New signing Kepa Arrizabalaga was also missing from the Gunners squad, also reportedly injured.

The atmosphere before kick-off was electric inside the 50,000-capacity Kai Tak Stadium – with a record crowd of 49,975 inside – and it carried on throughout an intense and entertaining first-half, one that could have been mistaken for a Premier League clash.

Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice had spent the end of their open training on Wednesday night rehearsing corner routines with set-piece coach Nicolas Jover.

SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN

And they earned several chances to put it into practice in the opening few minutes as William Saliba headed just wide from one delivery.

With Gyokeres in mind, Arteta is likely to go more direct from back to front this season, and this was on show too with Raya going long to pick out Gabriel Martinelli through the middle only for Kai Havertz to dither in the box and waste an opportunity to shoot.

The German’s blushes were spared as the offside flag finally went up but you have to imagine Gyokeres would have hit that first time given the same chance…

Spurs battled their way back into the game, ironically through set-pieces. Former boss Ange Postecoglou refused to put any emphasis on them, in attack or defence, during his reign.

But Frank – after huge success with Brentford from dead-ball situations – has done the opposite, and it is already evident as Pedro Porro’s corner went all the way through to hit the far post with Raya blocked off in the box.

Arteta’s Arsenal were being given a taste of their own medicine, and it happened again in the 28th minute, only for Richarlison to somehow fail to tap it in from less than a yard out and with an open goal gaping, looping it over the bar.

Just before that, Jakub Kiwior had lost an aerial duel to Richarlison allowing Wilson Odobert to drive forward and strike Raya’s right-hand post with a low shot.

Three times Arsenal’s woodwork had been struck, twice from corners. Not for the first time, Frank was getting one over Arteta, leaving the Spaniard in a fidgety, agitated mood in his technical area, pointing fingers and screaming at any official he could lay his hands on.

To the surprise of pretty much everyone, Arteta made no changes at the break, keeping faith with his frustrated starting XI and keeping Gyokeres bibbed up, patiently waiting.

Arsenal started the second like they did the first: on top but without really creating any chances or worrying Vicario.

Havertz had little to no service, but was not holding the ball up well enough either.

In the 68th minute, with Gyokeres still waiting, Christian Norgaard and Martinelli were subbed off for Trossard and Martin Zubimendi – the latter firing a deflected volley onto the roof of the net seconds after coming on.

A flurry of openings followed. Havertz cut inside and fired one straight at Vicario and Odegaard should have hit the target from a Ben White cut-back.

But enough was enough with 13 minutes of normal time remaining. On came Gyokeres, as well as 15-year-old Max Dowman, Mikel Merino, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Cristhian Mosquera.

Not that it made much difference. Just like last season, Arsenal struggled to break down a low block, and Frank proved yet again he more often than not has Arteta’s number.