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| yna@yna.co.kr 2021-12-23 10:59:07
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.
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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