Son Heung-Min hints at retirement -- South Korea captain reveals career plans before FIFA World Cup 2026

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

South Korea and Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-Min hinted at retirement after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while announcing his exit from Tottenham Hotspur before the 2025-26 season, on Friday.

The 33-year-old won the Europa League with Spurs last season, their first major trophy in 17 years, and has spent a decade at the Premier League side, scoring 173 goals in 454 appearances.

"When I first arrived at Tottenham 10 years ago, I was a young boy who couldn't even speak English well. I'm leaving now as a man. I believe timing is crucial in saying goodbye, and now feels like the right time," Son said.

RELATED: Son Heung-Min brings Europa League trophy to South Korea

Moreover, he stressed that international football will remain of paramount importance for him in the twilight of his career.

"The World Cup is the most important. It could be my last World Cup, so it's crucial that I give it my all. Also important is finding a place where I can play football happily. That's what I'm contemplating," he added.

Son made his senior international debut against Syria before the 2011 AFC Asian Cup and has 51 international goals, the second-highest in South Korean football, after Cha Bum-kun.

Though he has won the Olympic gold medal with the under-23 side at the 2018 Asian Games, he has failed to win a major international trophy with the senior team so far -- one that he will look to change in the World Cup next year.

Latest on SportstarSon Heung-Min hints at retirement -- South Korea captain reveals career plans before FIFA World Cup 2026Team SportstarSon reveals considering retirement from international football after Asian Cup with South Korea AFPMacau Open Badminton: Lakshya Sen, Tharun Mannepalli knocked out in semifinalsTeam SportstarREAD MORE STORIES