(LEAD) S. Korea captain Son Heung-min to undergo facial surgery, World Cup status in doubt

All News 10:26 November 03, 2022

(ATTN: ADDS comments from S. Korean football body in paras 7-9)
By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- Tottenham Hotspur forward and South Korea captain Son Heung-min will undergo surgery after suffering a fracture around his left eye, his Premier League club has announced, throwing the star's status for the upcoming FIFA World Cup into doubt.

Spurs made the announcement Wednesday (London time), some 24 hours after Son sustained the injury during the first half of the team's Group D match at Marseille in the UEFA Champions League.

In this EPA photo, Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur (2nd from R) is treated for a facial injury during the team's UEFA Champions League Group D match against Marseille at Stade de Marseille in Marseille, France, on Nov. 1, 2022. (Yonhap)

Son's face struck the right shoulder of defender Chancel Mbemba in an aerial battle. The South Korean star left the pitch with his left eye nearly swollen shut and his nose bleeding.

"Following surgery, Son will commence rehabilitation with our medical staff and we shall update supporters further in due course," Tottenham said in a statement posted on their website.

The club did not provide a timeline for Son's rehab, but the procedure casts a cloud over South Korea's chances at the World Cup, which kicks off in Qatar later this month.

The big tournament opens Nov. 20, and South Korea's first Group H match against Uruguay is scheduled for Nov. 24.

In this AFP photo, Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur (L) leaves the field after suffering a facial injury during the team's UEFA Champions League Group D match against Marseille at Stade de Marseille in Marseille, France, on Nov. 1, 2022. (Yonhap)

The Korea Football Association (KFA) said Son is scheduled to have his surgery sometime this week.

"Regarding Son Heung-min's status for the World Cup, we will have to monitor his progress after the surgery," the KFA said. "We will remain in touch with Tottenham's medical staff regarding Son's injury."

The KFA also said the national team head coach Paulo Bento will not speak to the media on the situation.

Son, 30, is South Korea's captain and the team's most dangerous offensive weapon. He played in the past two World Cups and is trying to become just the second South Korean man, after Park Ji-sung, to score at three consecutive World Cups.

He has 35 goals in 104 international caps for South Korea.

In the 2021-2022 season, Son became the first Asian player to win the Premier League Golden Boot, as he shared the scoring lead with Mohamed Salah of Liverpool at 23 goals apiece. He finished 11th in the Ballon d'Or voting last month, the highest position ever by an Asian in the annual race for the world's top player.