Even if you're nowhere near an ardent follower of the Premier League, or football in general, you would likely still have heard of Son Heung-Min. If it's not for his endearing smile on and off the pitch, it's probably for his widely recognised reputation as being the best Asian footballer in history. Or perhaps, it's his down-to-earth personality. Or it may even be his association with Burberry as the British brand's ambassador—a title he's held since 2022—and dare we say, a fitting match.
Son (or more affectionately known as "Sonny" among fans) is more than an athlete. He's already a legend.
"I feel really, really special that people are looking after me and that they're supporting me. And I just want to continue as long as possible to give them the happiness and the joy of watching me play football," the South Korean native said during an interview months ago after moving to the United States to join the Major League Soccer under Los Angeles FC. That response alone tells you the kind of person Son is. His humility precedes himself, and with a discipline to match. Son is aware of the heavy responsibility he bears as a prominent figure in his arena and conducts himself in a manner that's befitting of a role model.
The last thing anyone would do is to mistake his nice and positive demeanour for a pushover. Son's statistics alone prove that when he's on the pitch, he's intentional and focused. His 10 years spent with Tottenham Hotspur saw many accolades including the Premier League Golden Boot for the 2021–2022 season, multiple Goal of the Season awards, being recognised as the first Asian player to achieve 100 goals, and of course, a historic UEFA Europa League championship title that broke the Spurs' 17-year title drought. The latter signalled an end to his time with the Spurs, concluding on a high and moving on to a new challenge. How's it been going for Son at Los Angeles FC? Well, his first ever goal for the club earned him the MLS Goal of the Year award.
Son recoils humbly whenever he's referred to anything synonymous to "the best". But as we learnt, he may not openly call himself that, yet it's part of an internal process he uses to psyche himself up for the task at hand—take this is a sign that manifestation works.
ESQUIRE: What drives you?
SON HEUNG-MIN: There are many reasons and many things that motivate me, but the first thing that comes to mind is the people who sacrificed for me. Thinking of them always gives me the drive to work harder.
ESQ: What's a personal routine you can’t give up?
SHM: I don’t have many routines, but during the season, I try to be asleep by at least 11pm. And I aim to wake up at exactly 7am. I’ve lived like that for so long that I usually wake up at that time without an alarm. My body reacts automatically, so I tend to wake up even before 7.
ESQ: Is there something you want to protect and keep unchanged over time?
SHM: There are many things, but since I love football so much right now, I hope that even as time passes, my love for football never changes.
ESQ: How would you describe your life if you were to compare it to a football match?
SHM: When I make this comparison, I usually describe my football life in terms of match time. I started playing football when I was young, and now it feels like the second half has just begun, and I’m running hard to score more goals.
ESQ: In one word, describe what it means to you to have fans.
SHM: Joy. Because they’re there, football is enjoyable, and we have to give our all. Without them, football wouldn’t really exist. To me, fans are, in a way, the greatest source of joy.
ESQ: What's your favourite Burberry look from today's shoot?
SHM: Honestly, the entire collection was so beautiful that it’s hard to choose just one, but I really liked the first outfit. The inner piece I wore was also very nice. Overall, it felt like a style I really like.
ESQ: Do you have a message for Burberry on its 170th anniversary?
SHM: First of all, I feel like I should applaud. Congratulations, sincerely, on your 170th anniversary. It’s a great honour for me to be able to share even a small part of the history of such a brand with an incredible legacy. I hope Burberry continues to grow into an even more remarkable brand that inspires many people. And I hope I can share in that long history along the way. Once again, congratulations from the bottom of my heart.
ESQ: Is there a sentence you’ve repeated to yourself often?
SHM: “I am the best.” Whether that becomes reality or not, I always think of myself as the best. At the training ground and on the field, I almost chant to myself, “I am the best,” as I train and go into matches. No matter what I do, I have to give it my all. I have to do it happily, and live happily. Those are the phrases I’ve repeated to myself the most.
ESQ: What would you like to say to yourself in 10 years time?
SHM: I’d like to say, “I’m proud of you.” There must have been difficulties, and it surely wasn’t easy, but I think I would tell myself that I’m proud of having stayed happy and not losing my smile.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Editor: Lim Keon
Photography: Kim Heejune
Styling: Lee Hyeyoung
Hair: Eom Jungmi
Makeup: Kang Yoonjin
Set Stylist: Lee Nakung (CALLA7)
Art Designer: Cho Hyesoo
Animation: Joan Tai
