Son Heung-Min has to be considered one of the best players in modern Premier League history.
The Tottenham captain has been an excellent servant for Spurs over the years.
Son is a world-class player, but even the top players in the game have those legendary figures they look up to.
Indeed, Paul Pogba used to idolise Thierry Henry as a youngster, while Mohamed Salah idolised Francesco Totti as a player.
Speaking to Goal, Son has named his five favourite players to watch growing up, and he gave a special mention to one former Manchester United star.
Son Heung-Min names Ji-Sung Park as one of his favourite ever players
Son named former Manchester United midfielder, Ji-Sung Park as one of his favourite players from his youth.
Park was a key player for Manchester United in the 2000s, winning numerous league titles and a Champions League with the Red Devils.
Of course, Park was also a key player for the South Korea national team, making him a national hero.
Park joined United for £4m, and according to Mike Phelan, Park is one of the best signings United ever made.
“Name your top five favourite players to watch when you were growing up?” Son was asked.
“I would say number five, Ji-Sung Park, a national hero,” Son said.
Son also named some other big names among his five favourite players growing up.
| Son Heung-Min’s five favourite players growing up |
|---|
| 1. Cristiano Ronaldo |
| 2. Lionel Messi |
| 3. Ronaldinho |
| 4. Zinedine Zidane |
| 5. Ji-Sung Park |
Ji Sung Park record for South Korea
Park was a true legend of the game in South Korea, and, for a long time, he flew the flag for the nation at the highest level.
Park remains the only South Korean to have ever won the Premier League, a feat that even Son himself hasn’t been able to match.
Of course, Park was a legend for Manchester United, but it’s his exploits for the national team that Son probably most fondly remembers.
Park achieved some incredible things with his national team.
| Ji-Sung Park record for South Korea | |
|---|---|
| Games | 100 |
| Goals | 13 |
| World Cup goals | 3 |
| Best performance at the World Cup | Semi-finals |
| Best performance at the Asia Cup | Semi-finals |
Son may well go down as the greatest South Korean footballer of all time, but, make no mistake about it, Park paved the way for Son in the Premier League as the first great South Korean player in English football.
