Tottenham Hotspur’s final pre-season game in Asia ended in mixed emotions as James Maddison suffered a concerning knee injury, while Son Heung-min received a heartfelt send-off in his home city of Seoul. The friendly against Newcastle United finished 1-1, but the headlines were dominated by the scenes involving two of Spurs’ most notable players.
Late in the match, Maddison went down unchallenged and had to be carried off the pitch on a stretcher, visibly in pain. The incident raised serious concerns, especially as the 28-year-old had previously missed the closing stages of last season with a knee issue on the same joint. The team’s head coach described the moment as both “beautiful and brutal,” reflecting the dual emotions of the day.
In contrast, Son Heung-min experienced a poignant farewell as he concluded his ten-year tenure with the club. Wearing the captain’s armband, Son was substituted in the 64th minute to thunderous applause and a guard of honour from players on both sides. Overwhelmed by emotion, he thanked fans, teammates, and coaching staff for their support throughout his decade-long journey in north London.
Son expressed deep appreciation for the club and the special moments he shared with supporters. He highlighted his gratitude toward the head coach, who had backed his decision to seek a new challenge, and wished the team success in all five competitions they will compete in this season. The 33-year-old leaves Spurs with a remarkable record of 173 goals in 454 appearances.
Adding to the day’s developments, Tottenham announced the signing of Portuguese midfielder João Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich. The deal includes an option to make the move permanent next summer, subject to international clearance and a work permit. Palhinha returns to the Premier League after a successful stint at Fulham and a Bundesliga title win with Bayern, as well as recent Nations League glory with Portugal.
Palhinha revealed that the decisive factor in his move was the club’s head coach, whose desire to bring him in made the decision easy. He stated his commitment to help the team and enjoy his new chapter in London alongside his family.
