The South Korean winger who is currently playing in England with Tottenham Hotspur, Son Heung-min, won the 2020 FIFA Puskas trophy. It is the award established in 2009 to recognize the most beautiful goal of the year. This year award ceremony took place in Zurich, Switzerland, last Friday (18/12/2020).
Son Heung-min won the Puskas Award for his “solo run” when he led his team to a 5-0 win over Burnley at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 7 December 2019. At that time, Son Heung-min’s “solo run” led to the third goal for The Lilywhites, nicknamed for Tottenham.
He dribbled 71.4 meters in just 11 seconds as he netted the spectacular goal. Son even got past several Burnley players before rendering goalkeeper Nick Pope helpless. He then recorded the second-longest distance a player has ever taken to score a goal in the top tier of the Premier League. Launching from the official Premier League website, Son only lost to Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend.
FIFA’s official page writes, Son has shown speed, strength and perseverance with this goal. The legendary player of the Tottenham Hotspur and England national team, Gary Lineker, also acknowledged the greatness of Son’s “solo run” goal. “One of the greatest individual goals you have ever seen,” said Gary Lineker.
Previously, Son also talked about his goal process. He said that there was some luck behind the goal process which led him to win the 2020 Puskas Award. “After I got the ball, I was a little lucky. I dribbled into a space where there were no opposing players,” Son said when describing the process of the goal against Burnley. “I tried to finish it well because the previous action (solo run) was very fast. I was really focused on my finish. It was a great feeling,” added Son.
After winning the 2020 Puskas Award, Son also said he was proud and grateful. He thanked everyone who chose this goal. “I have great emotions about this goal and award (Puskas),” said Son. “It was an extraordinary goal, and with this award I feel very grateful. I want to thank everyone who chose me,” said the player who was born in Chuncheon, South Korea, July 8, 1992.
