Is Son Heung-min Asia’s Greatest Footballer Ever?
Son Heung-min is making a strong case for being Asia’s greatest football player, with impressive performances in the Premier League and international competitions. His consistent scoring and significant contributions to Tottenham Hotspur highlight his elite status. While historical figures like Park Ji-sung and Tim Cahill had notable careers, Son’s current form and impact set him apart in the debate.
Son Heung-min has emerged as one of the top players in the world, currently boasting 10 goals and three assists in 11 Premier League matches this season, alongside three goals and three assists from six matches in Europe. This outstanding performance positions him to be a starter for any club globally. His potential crowning as the Premier League’s best would further solidify his claim to being Asia’s all-time best player.
Since becoming a regular starter in 2012 while at Hamburg, Son has consistently scored double figures in goals each season, except for his initial year at Spurs. Achieving this in eight out of the last nine seasons demonstrates his remarkable consistency across both the Premier League and Bundesliga, especially as he doesn’t play as a traditional striker.
Son’s international accomplishments include scoring three goals at the FIFA World Cup and contributing significantly to Tottenham Hotspur’s remarkable run to the 2019 UEFA Champions League final, despite the absence of Harry Kane due to injury. This performance earned him a nomination for the Ballon d’Or, showcasing his impact on a major club.
Comparing Son to other great Asian players raises important questions. Has any other Asian player exhibited such dominance and importance in an elite league? Notably, players like Keisuke Honda, Tim Cahill, and Park Ji-sung have made their marks, but each had limitations compared to Son’s current form and contributions.
Keisuke Honda, with impressive statistics for Japan, was Asia’s best attacking midfielder in his time, winning the 2011 Asian Cup. Despite his technical abilities, his limited success in Serie A contrasted with Son’s achievements in major European leagues.
Tim Cahill, Australia’s top scorer with 50 goals, was known for his performance under pressure, becoming the first Australian to score at a World Cup. While he made crucial contributions for the Socceroos, he lacked the technical flair and goal-scoring consistency of Son.
Park Ji-sung stands out as Asia’s player with the most major titles due to his impressive trophy haul at Manchester United. However, he did not demonstrate the same level of importance to his team as Son does currently.
Another historical figure, Cha Bum-kun, had a noteworthy European career, winning the UEFA Cup twice and becoming Korea’s all-time scorer. His lack of World Cup goals, unlike Son’s, slightly diminishes his claim as Asia’s best.
Hidetoshi Nakata made a name as a technical midfielder in Serie A, breaking records and becoming a pioneer in Asian football, but his on-pitch impact was not as significant as Son’s. Both Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka showcased exceptional talent but struggled with consistency and injuries, ultimately falling short of Son’s contributions.
Majed Abdullah and Ali Daei established themselves as prolific scorers in their respective nations but did not face the same high-level challenges in European leagues as Son. Meanwhile, Shinji Kagawa’s potential remained unfulfilled despite notable performances in the Bundesliga and an Asian Cup victory.
The list of honorable mentions includes talented players like Ali Al-Habsi, Kazuyoshi Miura, and Yuto Nagatomo, who each contributed to their teams but have not reached Son’s heights in terms of consistent success and impact.
As Son’s career progresses, his legacy may be cemented by winning major trophies or individual accolades. However, his talent, importance, versatility, and unparalleled consistency in performance already strongly argue for his place as Asia’s best-ever footballer.
Original Source: www.sbs.com.au
