English professional footballer Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur made a surprise visit to his hometown of Chuncheon ahead of his national team call-up next week.
He warmly encouraged the players in a youth football tournament named after him.
Reporter Kim Moon-young reports.
A football field in Chuncheon is in full swing.
Son Heung-min appears among the coaching staff on the home team’s sidelines.
He watches the young players play with a serious look in his eyes.
This is the second year that an international youth friendly football tournament has been named after Son.
Last year, a congratulatory video was used, but this year, he took time out of his break to visit his hometown of Chuncheon.
The unannounced arrival of a world star is greeted with the excitement of a child.
[“Don’t go.”]
Son offers warm words of encouragement to the aspiring footballers.
[Son Heung-min/Tottenham/Chuncheon: “Tomorrow? I don’t know, don’t get hurt and always have fun playing football, okay?”]
It was a short meeting, lasting less than 30 minutes, but it was a great gift for football fans.
[Shim Hye-jin/Jeonggye-dong, Chuncheon : “I didn’t know if he would come or not, so I thought he wouldn’t come, but he came, so I think the kids loved it and the citizens loved it too.”]
Youth aspirants vow to become players like Son Heung-min.메이저사이트
[Lee Tae-hoon/Football tournament participant: “Because Heung-min is watching my game, I want to play harder and look better.”]
The city of Chuncheon is marketing world-class player Son Heung-min to promote Chuncheon, and is also considering systematic support from youth football to professional football.