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| ▲ This AFP photo shows Son Heung-min gifting a uniform to a young fan. (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Dec. 23 (Yonhap) – South Korean football star Son Heung-min (29·Tottenham) has become ‘Santa’ for young fans ahead of Christmas.
Tottenham made it into the semifinals by beating West Ham United 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the 2021-2022 Carabao Cup (League Cup) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England on Thursday (KST).
Son, who played full-time in the previous regular league match against Liverpool (2-2 draw) and netted an equalizer for a 2-2 draw, was put on the substitute list and played on the ground until the end of the game in the 16th minute of the second half.
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| ▲ This Reuters photo shows Son Heung-min having a conversation with his teammate Harry Kane and West Ham football player Declan Rice. (Yonhap) |
After the match, Son was seen laughing while talking with his teammate Harry Kane and West Ham's midfielder Declan Rice.
Son was also greeted by an unexpected visitor.
A young boy was seen running across the field and heading towards Son, while a number of security guards ran after the child.
Son, who witnessed the scene, smiled and patted the boy's head. The 29-year-old football star also took off his uniform jersey and presented it to the boy as a gift.
This wasn't the first time Son made such gesture to a young fan. Son previously drew attention by presenting his uniform to a child after a regular match against Norwich City on Dec.5.
Son Heung-min, who put Tottenham up to a 3-0 complete victory with one goal and one assist in the match, took off his jersey to a young fan while thanking his who were chanting and cheering his name.
When the broadcasting cameras caught the boy letting out a few tears after receiving Son's uniform, the hearts of many fans watching in the stadium were warmed.
Following his nickname as "Spider-Son," the South Korean footballer is now dubbed as "Sonta Claus"-- a compound of his name and Santa Claus--for his generous gesture in thanking young fans. Son is now on his way to hunt for more goals in the upcoming matches at Crystal Palace on Dec.27.
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