Son Heung-min candidly discussed the challenges he faced regarding racial discrimination during his early years in German football. The Tottenham Hotspur forward revealed that despite excelling on the pitch, he often encountered prejudiced attitudes and stereotyping, both from some fans and within certain football circles. “It wasn’t easy being different,” Son admitted, emphasizing the emotional toll such experiences had on his confidence and integration into teams.

Highlighting the ongoing issue, Son called on clubs and football authorities to take stronger preventative measures to foster an inclusive environment. He stressed the importance of education and empathy to eradicate racism from football culture. Below is a summary of key points Son made about his encounters and the wider fight against discrimination in the sport:

  • Early incidents: Faced racial slurs and dismissive treatment by some…