The South Korean captain could miss the World Cup after it was announced that he would undergo surgery on a facial injury.
South Korean captain Son Heung-min will undergo surgery after breaking a bone in his left eye socket, raising doubts about his ability to attend the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Son, one of the best players in Asian football, was caught by Chancel Mbemba when he tried to hit a high ball in the first half of the Champions League match against Tottenham in Marseille in Marseille on Tuesday. After prolonged treatment, he was later helped off the field and appeared clearly disoriented.
Tottenham Hotspur announced on Wednesday that Son will have surgery “to stabilize the fissure around his left eye”.
We can confirm that Heung-Min Son will undergo surgery to stabilize the fissure around his left eye.
– Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 2, 2022
The Premier League club did not say how long Son will be out of action.
“After the surgery,” the team said, “Son will begin rehabilitation with our medical staff, and we will update backers in due course.”
The World Cup begins on November 20 with South Korea due to play its first match against Uruguay four days later. Korea will also face Portugal and Ghana in Group H.
The country has appeared in 10 World Cups before, finishing 4th in 2002 when they co-hosted the tournament with Japan.
At the 2018 World Cup, South Korea excelled in the group stage as Son scored two of their three goals at the tournament.
Son also scored in his country’s last match, a 1-0 win over Cameroon in September.
Last season, Son was the top scorer alongside Liverpool FC’s Mohamed Salah in the Premier League with 23 goals.
This season, he has been less prolific, scoring just three goals in the Premier League – all in one game – and two in the Champions League.
Tottenham Hotspur will face Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Leeds before the World Cup begins.
