“SON Senior” Lee Young-pyo, Tottenham’s head! “Son Heung-min’s influence on soccer is different from our generation.”

Lee Young-pyo talked about the pride and regret of playing for Tottenham in the past and the influence of Son Heung-min on English football on Tottenham’s official YouTube channel on the 26th (Korea time).

Lee played for Tottenham Hotspur for three seasons from 2005 to 2008 prior to Son Heung-min. He was the second Korean to play in the English Premier League following Park Ji-sung, who played for Manchester United. Since his debut season, he has started all 31 official matches under the trust of then-Coach Martin Yol. Prior to his transfer to Dortmund in 2008, Lee remained a legendary player for Tottenham, playing 92 official matches.

Lee Young-pyo said, “The teams I played in as a player always remain in my mind. Tottenham is a team that I played at the peak of my soccer life, so it’s even more special and I feel good.”

In particular, Son Heung-min emphasized that he became a more special team for Korean fans as he played for Tottenham. Lee Young-pyo said, “As Son Heung-min showed great performances at Tottenham, there were many fans in Korea. Moreover, Tottenham visited Korea last year to inspire their fans.” 스포츠토토

“The atmosphere at the English soccer stadium gives tremendous immersion to not only players but also a single spectator. It remains a vivid memory for me and I envy (the atmosphere),” he said.

He also mentioned the influence of his younger teammate Son Heung-min around the world. “His performance has more influence than when our generation was in Europe. It inspires people across Asia beyond Korea,” he said. “A little more time later, there will be more players who have dreamed of becoming players by watching Son.”

Lee played in White Hart Lane, Tottenham’s predecessor, instead of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. White Hart Lane opened in 1899 and was used by Tottenham as its home ground for more than 100 years, but closed in 2017 due to the expansion of its new stadium. “The atmosphere was really good (then). It was not as grand as it is now, but it is a place with history. I played comfortably as I did at home. It is a special place where I still have vivid memories of the locker room and the gate to the stadium,” Lee recalled.

Having played for a prestigious pro soccer team with more than 100 years of history is my pride as a player,” Lee said. “Korea started to enjoy English soccer in earnest 20 years ago. Most Korean fans remember England soccer from 20 years ago to the present. However, Tottenham was an incredible team in terms of 100 years, not 20 years ago. Among the teams that showed good performance over 100 years, Tottenham was one of them. I am proud and proud of Tottenham.”

Lastly, Lee Young-pyo said, “I am proud that all the players who played for Tottenham, including myself, have played for the best team in the world. The same applies to fans,” adding, “I hope that Tottenham will share and develop its legacy to become soccer fans around the world who enjoy soccer.”