Son Heung-min is happy proof that the popularity of the Premier League spreads way beyond these shores.
And the smiling South Korean superstar is also a big hit with English fans not only with Tottenham ’s adoring support. Son, 30, went on a hot scoring streak at the start of the year to share the Golden Boot along with Mohamed Salah.
A slower start to this domestic campaign - and a facial injury which saw him wear a protective mask at the World Cup - should not obscure his reputation for being a top player - and person. Nor his appeal to all football fans no matter their club or national loyalty.
Last year, his Spurs team-mate Gareth Bale revealed he gave off the same positive vibes in the dressing room “No matter what it is, he’s always happy apart from when we lose,” said the Welshman.
“Then he’s sad for a couple of hours but then his smile comes back. He’s an amazing guy. He’s definitely the nicest guy on the planet. He’s always smiling, joking, laughing and he also picks up everyone around him. His smile just cheers the room up.”
Son’s goalscoring lit up the Premier League in the closing months of last season. Salah took his goal total to 16 at the start of January while the Korean had only netted eight. But a stunning run of form saw the Tottenham attacker finish the season tied with Salah on 23 goals after netting 12 in the final 10 games of the campaign.
His infectious enthusiasm and his unselfish play have made him a national hero back home in South Korea. On a pre-season tour to Seoul, he was treated like a rockstar and Korean fans waving the national flag can always be spotted at Tottenham games.
And Son won Tottenham's Fans' Footballer of the Year last December by getting over double the votes of his three rivals.
He showed his class on and off the field in September when he was dropped to the bench at Leicester after failing to find the net all season, responding by coming on to score a brilliant 14-minute hat-trick. Instead of criticising coach Antonio Conte, he said: “I still love football even in the tough moments and this is why I am here.”
Harry Kane remains the talisman for his club and country but Son enjoys a different popularity which makes him a perennial fans’ favourite.
Son is one of nine nominees for this year's Fans' Footballer of the Year Award. Use the form above to vote or click here.
Have you voted for Son or will you be picking someone else for the award? Have your say in the comments below.
