Son Heung Min, Tottenham Hotspur’s talisman and fan-favourite, has built a legacy since joining the club in 2015.
The Korean is an all-rounder of sorts, stellar performances, humble demeanour and a tireless work ethic, Son is one of the most cherished footballers in world football.
His time at Tottenham has seen him amass over 100 goals, establish himself as one of the league’s top attackers, and secure his place in the hearts of Spurs supporters.
However his recent appearance at a Tottenham Hotspur event led to some unexpected backlash, reminding us just how quickly social media can blow even the most harmless moments out of proportion.
On September 23, Tottenham hosted an event known as the Fan Forum that gave supporters a rare opportunity to engage with key figures at the club including Son. Among those present were manager Ange Postecoglou, chairman Daniel Levy, Tottenham Women’s coach Robert Vilahamn, and women’s team captain Bethany England.
The event offered fans the chance to ask questions and gain insight into the inner workings of the club. But it was Son Heung-min’s response to a light-hearted question that quickly became a talking point.
During the forum, a young fan asked Son a question many of us pondered as children: who is your favorite Tottenham player of all time? It’s a question that holds a certain nostalgic charm, as we often wonder which footballers our idols look up to.
Son’s answer, though, caught many off guard. Rather than naming club legends like Harry Kane or Christian Eriksen, Son revealed that his favorite Spurs player is his long-time teammate, Ben Davies.
For those who closely follow Tottenham, Son and Davies’ close friendship is well-known. Since joining Spurs in 2014, Davies has been a stalwart of the team, racking up over 330 appearances and earning a reputation as a reliable and versatile defender.
But for Son, their relationship goes beyond the pitch.
Son has described Davies as more than just a colleague—he’s a trusted friend and confidant. Recently, he became the godfather to Davies’ son, further highlighting their deep bond.
“Ben is the only one I would say is like family,” Son has said, emphasizing how much he values Davies’ honesty, loyalty, and integrity both on and off the pitch. This support was crucial for Son, as he’d made his way from South Korea at just 16 to pursue his football career.
Some fans did support Son’s answer, understanding that Davies has been a loyal servant for the club and that his family also holds a special place in the Korean’s heart. But many went down the negative, critiquing route.
Who are all the muppets clapping? Davies has been a wage thief for how many years now?
— 🌑KANE🌑 (@K76287999) September 23, 2024
Sums up our club nice bloke not a winner
— phil (@scooteroil) September 23, 2024
The surprise came from hearing a player like Ben Davies, known more for his reliability than stardom, named over the likes of Harry Kane or Christian Eriksen—players widely regarded as instrumental to Tottenham’s stature in the modern era.
Davies, while respected, is often seen as more of a utility player than a club legend. But the question wasn’t about talent or status; it was simply about Son’s personal favourite.
What made this discussion even worse was criticism the young fan received online for asking this question. One fan stated that only regular match going fans should have the right to attend such forums and ask questions that look for real answers.
Clearly the backlash is driven from Son not choosing a high profile name, and that a player of Son’s caliber should maybe choose a bigger name who makes the headlines.
This reaction misses the whole point, Son’s choice of Davies wasn’t based on trophies or talent, but rather on the qualities he values most—loyalty, humility, and friendship— making Davies maybe not the most talented player he’s played alongside, but definitely his favourite.
This saga speaks to a larger issue within football fandom—how quickly we jump to criticize opinions that don’t align with our own. In truth, there is no right or wrong answer to the question of who someone’s favorite player is. It’s deeply personal, shaped by individual experiences and emotions.
