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Tired but Gracious: How Son Heung Min Won Hearts by Asking for a Break

Emily Kim Views  

South Korea’s soccer player Son Heung Min’s polite refusal to interview requests after a friendly match in Australia is stirring up a buzz.

On May 22, Tottenham held a friendly match with Newcastle United at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia. Son was involved in the starting lineup and played for over 60 minutes.

Son, who had been busy with other schedules until just before the match with Newcastle, declined an interview in the mixed zone.

Instead, Son collected the most polite attitude for the reporters who had waited for him.

With his hands together, Son asked the reporters, “Can I take a day off today? I’ve always done interviews. I even had a press conference yesterday. I just want to rest for today.”

He continued, “Please give me a day off today. Thank you,” and sincerely asked the reporters.

The reporters on the spot also willingly accepted Son’s request, knowing that he was very tired, even though they were sorry to wait.

They told Son, “No worries, Sonny,” and “I hope you travel safely,” and even gave him a farewell greeting.

The video containing such a scene was widely spread on social media such as X, and the video titled “How Son Politely Refused an Interview to the Maximum” posted by a fan exceeded 850,000 views in a day.

The praise of Australian reporters continued.

Lucas Rinaldo, a reporter working at Australia’s 10NEWS, said, “Son declined the mixed zone interview in the best way without controversy.”

He added, “After spending 48 hours in Melbourne, Australia, the players have the right to take enough rest,” and gave a thumbs-up.

Another Australian reporter, Josh Parish, praised, “Son declined the mixed zone interview. It was the most polite refusal I’ve ever received. He’s a great man. He declined the interview, saying, ‘May I take a day off?'”

Joey Lynch, a freelance sports reporter contributing to ESPN and others, said, “There was no player who declined the mixed zone interview request better than Son,” and “I wasn’t upset at all. He was too kind.”

Meanwhile, Son returned home through Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of May 23. After wrapping up a tough schedule, Son will briefly rest in Korea and depart for Singapore as the captain of South Korea’s National team on June 2.

The South Korean National team, led by Son, will play the fifth round of the 2026 North-Central American World Cup Asian Regional Second Round with Singapore on June 6 and the sixth round with China in Korea on June 11.

Emily Kim
emilykim@insightmsn.com

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