Tottenham player says he faced racism in Germany, took revenge in WC

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Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min has revealed that he faced racism as a teenage footballer in Germany and was happy to get "revenge" when South Korea knocked Germany out of the 2018 World Cup.

Son, 29, became the first Asian footballer to win the Golden Boot for being the top scorer in the English Premier League with 23 goals last season.

The leading Asian goalscorer in English football's top-flight history was awarded the country's highest sporting honor in June for his achievements.

However, Son said his most memorable career moment had been South Korea's stunning 2-0 victory over Germany four years ago, because of the racism he had endured in the European country as a teenager after joining Hamburg in 2010.

Son shared in public for the first time his experiences of racism, while speaking to fans at an event in Seoul on Monday. 

"I moved to Germany when I was young, and went through so many really difficult, unimaginable moments," said Son, who left Hamburg in 2013 for Bayer Leverkusen. 

"I faced a lot of racism. And while going through such a really difficult time, I had a lot of thoughts on my mind I should get my revenge one day," he added.

Taking revenge during World Cup

Germany were the defending World Cup champions in Russia but the shock defeat to South Korea meant they finished bottom of their group, leaving many German fans in tears at the Kazan Arena. 

In a controversial statement, Son, who scored the second goal announcing Germany's early exit from the championship, said, "When people cry, I'd (usually) want to comfort them and give them a hug."

But "watching German people cry, (I felt) I was able to take revenge by doing something I like," he expressed.

It is noteworthy that last year, eight men suspected of tweeting racist abuse at Son were arrested at addresses across England and Wales.