Tottenham Hotspur's decision to extend Son Heung-min's contract for another year not only relieves the worries in the hearts of fans but also affirms the irreplaceable role of the Korean striker at the club.
However, this decision also opens up a series of big questions as to whether the 2025-2026 campaign will be Son's last season at Spurs? Or what will Tottenham have to do to manage one of the most important transfer periods in the team's history?
It is no surprise that the board decided to activate the contract extension clause with Son Heung-min. Leaving the Korean star at the end of the 2024-2025 season without collecting any transfer fees would be a big loss. Moreover, his passing will leave a huge void in terms of expertise, leadership spirit and especially the global influence that Son brings.
However, even if the contract is extended for another year, this will only temporarily delay the issue. There are still questions about the 32-year-old striker's long-term future at Tottenham. After the 2025-2026 season, will Sonny continue to be associated with the London team or have they begun to prepare for the plan of not having him in the squad?
Although Son has shown stability as captain, this season is not his peak. The striker born in 1992 has played almost every Premier League match, but Son's personal achievements are not too outstanding with only 5 goals and 6 assists. These are not bad numbers but are not commensurate with the expectations placed on him.
The age of 32 is starting to become a burden for Son Heung-min. As a player who relies heavily on speed and physical explosiveness, the Korean star cannot avoid the signs of age. In this year's season, moments when he could no longer maintain his sharpness in front of goal or lacked explosiveness in high-speed handling have begun to appear.
In addition, injuries and a lack of personnel in the Tottenham squad have also put Son to the brink more. In the context of reserve players such as Richarlison, Mikey Moore and Wilson Odobert all having health problems, the "Rooster" captain was forced to play regularly, leading to physical exhaustion.
Next year will be an important year for Son and for Korean football as the 2026 World Cup is approaching. This will be the 4th World Cup in the career of the striker born in 1992 and possibly the last. Although the Korean team has a great chance to win a ticket to participate, the pressure of preparing and competing in this tournament will certainly affect Sonny's performance at Tottenham.
Spurs need to face the problem after the World Cup. Should the team extend Son's long-term contract until the 2026-2027 season or further? With the 32-year-old striker's influence both on and off the pitch, Tottenham would find it difficult to lose this iconic player.
Son Heung-min will turn 34 when the 2026 World Cup takes place. This is the age at which many players start thinking about the final stages of their careers. In the case of Son leaving Tottenham, it is unlikely that he will join an opposing team in the Premier League or Europe. However, with his global reputation and influence, the Korean striker will not be without invitations from the world's leading tournaments or from the US, Middle East to Asia.
Regardless of his future, Son will always be remembered as one of the greatest players in Tottenham's history. With more than a decade of dedication, he has not only left his mark with beautiful goals but also become a symbol of professionalism, team spirit and inspiration for millions of fans of the North London team.
