After playing for the final two months of 2022 wearing a protective face mask, Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min made the decision to ditch the extra piece of attire midway through his side's Premier League clash with Aston Villa.
The South Korean star was replaced early in first half of Tottenham's pivotal Champions League clash with Marseille appearing disorientated after a clash with Chancel Mbemba. It was later confirmed, Son was to undergo surgery for a fractured eye socket which saw him miss fixtures against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Leeds.
Despite suffering the injury just before the World Cup, he was able to participate for his country in Qatar helping them qualify out of the group stages assisting Wolves' Hwang Hee-chan for the winning goal against Portugal.
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However, he was powerless to stop a vibrant Brazil team, that includes his Spurs team-mate Richarlison from knocking South Korea out of the tournament with a 4-1 victory.
Due to the exit of his nation, son returned earlier to Hotspur Way than many of his team-mates, starting the Boxing Day clash with Brentford and being named in the attack to face Aston Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on New Year's Day
Mid-way through the clash with Aston Villa, the 30-year-old lost possession in the centre of the park before quickly sprinting to win the ball back. His intervention saw the ball head into touch with Son then throwing his mask off the pitch in frustration indicating he no longer needs it.
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