Son Heung-min has cast fresh doubt over his Tottenham future after featuring as a late substitute in South Korea’s 4-0 victory over Kuwait in the final round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers at Seoul World Cup Stadium.

The South Korea captain, who returned from a lingering foot injury, acknowledged he is still not fully fit but wanted to greet home fans in the last home fixture of the campaign. Speaking to Korean reporters after the match, Son said:

“My condition is not 100%, but I wanted to say thank you to the fans. I forced myself to play a little today to greet everyone, and I’m glad we got a great result at home.”

Despite a challenging season marked by hamstring and foot injuries, Son reflected on the year positively:

“It was a very special season for me because I lifted the trophy I had dreamed of since I was young. Some people might think it was disappointing, but I see it as a happy season where I could share those special moments with the fans.”

When asked about the persistent transfer speculation linking him to Saudi Arabian clubs, Son kept his cards close to his chest:

“I still have a contract with Tottenham. A lot of fans and the media are curious, and honestly, I’m curious myself. We’ll have to see what happens next. But wherever I am, I will always give my best.”

Son’s contract with Tottenham is due to expire in June next year, and reports have suggested Saudi clubs are keen to make him their next marquee star, potentially following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr.

In front of a crowd of 40,000, Son came on in the 73rd minute, receiving a standing ovation. It was his 134th international cap, moving him ahead of Lee Woon-jae and into third place in South Korea’s all-time appearance rankings, with only Cha Bum-kun and Hong Myung-bo ahead.

While Son is determined to enjoy his football, he admitted he is aware that at 30-something, the end of his career is something to consider.

“It’s not the end yet,” he laughed, adding: “But I want to show the fans a happy and enjoyable version of myself. I hope everyone will help me so that I can finish my football life happily.”

With a World Cup ticket secured, Son and the rest of the squad can now focus on preparations for the tournament itself, but his comments have left Tottenham fans and club officials braced for a summer of uncertainty.

Football-Asian.com understands that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is prepared to respect Son Heung-min’s wishes regarding his future this summer, but has placed a minimum asking price of £50 million should any Saudi Arabian club come forward with a formal offer. Son is believed to be considering a new challenge after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but his comments at Seoul World Cup Stadium have left question marks hanging over his immediate future and whether a move could happen this summer.