Tottenham Hotspur captain Heung-min Son has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo was his Premier League idol when growing up.
When it comes to top players who have graced the Premier League, there are numerous
Tottenham Hotspur have had a fair few in recent years, with Harry Kane and Heung-min Son two that spring to mind. Of course, Harry Kane has since departed the Lilywhites and now plies his trade at Bayern Munich.
This leaves Son, who only just moved up the all-time Premier League top scorer chart not too long ago after he bagged his 127th Premier League goal this season—a number that places him in joint-16th place.
Heung-min Son reveals Cristiano Ronaldo was his Premier League role model
Spurs aren’t the only club to have produced big-name players who’ve lit up the Premier League. Manchester United, one of the most successful clubs in the league, have churned out plenty themselves.
Undoubtedly, many would say the pick of the bunch is Cristiano Ronaldo—not only did he tear up the Premier League, but he also went on to become one of the best to ever play the game.
Son, speaking on the Sky Sports Premier League YouTube channel, opened up on what he now thinks of Ronaldo, having idolised him while growing up.
When asked about Ronaldo, Son said: “For me, he’s the real deal, my football hero.”
When asked whether Ronaldo was his number one, Son replied: “Yes. To grow up I wanted to be like him, watching so many clips of him. And sharing the pitch with him was unreal, it was like a dream.
“Still playing at forty years old and I think his birthday was a couple of weeks ago. The way he’s still performing, the way he looks after his body, he’s such a role model.”
Son’s goalscoring mirrors Cristiano Ronaldo in one key area
While Heung-min Son is still a fair way off lacing the boots of Cristiano Ronaldo, there are a few similarities in the style of both players.
Ronaldo’s always been known for being a two-footed finisher, and across his career, Son’s built a reputation for exactly that.
Of his 127 Premier League goals, Son has scored 49 with his left foot—despite being naturally right-footed. It’s a trait that hasn’t gone unnoticed at Tottenham, either.
Mikey Moore and Destiny Udogie have both named Son as the player with the best weak foot at Spurs, with Moore especially full of praise for the South Korean’s technique.
“I have to go for him again, Sonny,” Moore said. “His left foot is unbelievable, it’s like his right, so it’s definitely him.”
