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| Tottenham's South Korean striker Son Heung-Min (2nd-L) leaves the pitch after sustaining an injury as Tottenham's Brazilian midfielder Lucas Moura (R) follows him during the UEFA Champions League group D football match between Olympique Marseille (OM) and Tottenham Hotspur at The Velodrome Stadium in Marseille, southern France on November 1, 2022. |
South Korea’s captain may miss the World Cup after it was announced he would undergo surgery on a facial injury.
South Korea captain Son Heung-min will undergo surgery after fracturing his left eye socket, raising doubts over his availability for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Son, one of Asian football’s highest-profile players, was caught by Chancel Mbemba as he attempted to flick on a high ball during the first half of Tottenham’s Champions League match at Marseille on Tuesday. After receiving lengthy treatment he was then helped off the field and appeared visibly disoriented.
Tottenham Hotspur announced on Wednesday that Son will have an operation “to stabilise a fracture around his left eye”.
The Premier League club did not say how long Son will be out of action for.
“Following surgery,” the team said, “Son will commence rehabilitation with our medical staff, and we shall update supporters further in due course.”
The World Cup starts on November 20 with South Korea due to play its first group game against Uruguay four days later. South Korea will also face Portugal and Ghana in Group H.
The nation has appeared at 10 previous World Cups, finishing fourth in 2002 when they co-hosted the tournament with Japan.
