KEY POINTS
- The incident took place in Spurs’ 2-1 win Tuesday
- Son has netted 5 goals this season for Spurs
- The World Cup will begin on Nov. 20
Tottenham Hotspur forward Heung-Min Son is set to undergo surgery after suffering a fracture around his left eye, the North London club has confirmed.
Son picked up the injury in the first half of Spurs’ Champions League victory at Olympique Marseille on Tuesday. The South Korean forward’s chances of making it to the FIFA World Cup, which will begin on Nov. 20 in Qatar, are now in doubt.
In an official statement, Spurs said Son will soon commence rehabilitation, with their medical staff keeping a close eye.
“We can confirm that Heung-Min Son will undergo surgery to stabilize a fracture around his left eye. The South Korean international suffered the injury during the first half of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League victory at Olympique Marseille. Following surgery, Son will commence rehabilitation with our medical staff and we shall update supporters further in due course,” read Spurs’ statement.
After a slow start to the 2022-23 season, Son has now netted five goals and two assists in 19 appearances for Spurs in all competitions. Out of the five goals, two have come in the Champions League.
Son was on the goals chart in South Korea’s previous two games, which were friendly fixtures against Cameroon and Costa Rica.
South Korea have another friendly match against Iceland on Nov. 11 before the World Cup. South Korea are in Group H, along with Portugal, Ghana and Uruguay.
The campaign opener of South Korea is against two-time World Cup winners Uruguay on Nov. 24 at Doha’s Education City Stadium.
There is still hope for Son to feature in the mega tournament. Notably, Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne broke his nose and eye socket in the 2021 Champions League final but played for Belgium in the delayed 2020 Euro Cup 19 days later.
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Having made 106 appearances for South Korea’s senior side, Son has scored 35 goals and has provided 17 assists.
In the previous edition of the World Cup, which took place in Russia in 2018, Son netted two goals, which came against Mexico and Germany.
Son’s injury is also a blow for Spurs as they are set to host Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday. With 26 points, Spurs are placed third in the 2022-23 league table, while the Reds are in the ninth spot.
