Son Heung-min Gets Emotional at Tottenham Mural Unveiling During December 2025 Return
LAFC star Son Heung-min returned to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 9, 2025, receiving a hero's welcome as the club unveiled a striking mural honoring his decade-long legacy in North London.
The 33-year-old South Korean forward visited his former home ground for the first time since his August 2025 transfer to Los Angeles FC, addressing fans before Tottenham's Champions League match against Slavia Prague. The emotional farewell gave Son the proper goodbye he missed when announcing his departure during the club's pre-season tour in South Korea.
Giant Mural Features Trophy Lift and Signature Celebration
Tottenham commissioned Murwalls, the artistic group behind similar tributes to club legends Ledley King and Harry Kane, to create Son's mural on Tottenham High Road. The massive artwork captures two defining images: Son's famous "clicking" celebration and the moment he lifted the Europa League trophy as captain on May 21, 2025, in Bilbao, Spain.
Son personally selected the mural's design, which shows him hoisting the trophy with golden confetti falling, the captain's armband on his sleeve, and the South Korean flag around his waist. The inscription reads "Sonny, Spurs legend."
"It feels special," Son said at the unveiling. "All my favorite moments are in there-me holding the trophy, fireworks exploding behind me, the Korean flag. I hope this legacy stays with Spurs forever."
Standing before the completed artwork, Son performed his signature celebration and signed the mural, visibly emotional about the permanent tribute.
Ten Years of Glory in North London
Son joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in August 2015 for approximately £22 million. Over ten seasons, he scored 173 goals in 454 appearances, becoming the club's fifth all-time leading scorer and the highest-scoring Asian player in Premier League history.
His achievements include winning the 2021-22 Premier League Golden Boot (23 goals, shared with Mohamed Salah), receiving the 2020 FIFA Puskas Award for his solo goal against Burnley, and earning Best Footballer in Asia honors nine times. He scored the first official goal at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April 2019 and captained Tottenham to the 2024-25 Europa League title-the club's first trophy in 17 years.
"I Hope You Don't Forget Me"
Before Tottenham's 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague, Son delivered an emotional speech on the pitch. "I will always be Spurs and I will always be with you," he told supporters. "I hope you don't forget me."
Former Tottenham defender Ledley King presented Son with a commemorative trophy featuring the club's cockerel emblem. As Son left the field, his eyes reddened with emotion.
Gareth Bale, Son's former teammate now at LAFC, sent a video message: "Not many players bow out with their last game winning a trophy. You are a living legend here."
Son's sudden departure announcement in August shocked fans. "I have achieved everything I can at Tottenham," he explained during the pre-season tour. "I came to North London as a 23-year-old boy who couldn't speak English. I leave as a man."
After joining LAFC, Son scored nine goals in 10 regular-season MLS matches before the team's playoff elimination by Vancouver Whitecaps on November 23, 2025.
The mural on Tottenham High Road now joins those of Kane and King, ensuring Son's contributions remain visible to fans walking toward the stadium where he created memories over an extraordinary decade.
