South Korea may be without key player Son Heung-Min for the 2022 FIFA World Cup after he suffered an eye fracture playing for Tottenham.
Son was forced off during the first half of Tottenham’s crucial Champions League victory over Marseille on Tuesday following a challenge with defender Chancel Mbemba.
Spurs did not put a timeframe on his return, but with South Korea playing Uruguay in the World Cup on 24 November, the 30-year-old’s participation is in question.
The World Cup begins on Nov. 20, with South Korea playing their first game on Nov. 24 against Uruguay before finishing out the group stage against Ghanab(Nov. 28) and Portugal (Dec. 2).
A Spurs statement read: “We can confirm that Heung-Min Son will undergo surgery to stabilise a fracture around his left eye. The South Korea international suffered the injury during the first half of Tuesday’s Uefa Champions League victory at Olympique Marseille.
“Following surgery, Son will commence rehabilitation with our medical staff and we shall update supporters further in due course.”
Son is a key player for a South Korea team looking to make it to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 2010. He scored seven goals in 13 games for South Korea in qualifying for Qatar.
Speaking immediately after the game, assistant head coach Cristian Stellini said: “Sonny feels better now. I saw him in the dressing room. He celebrated with us. So we will wait for tomorrow.
“It is his face. His eye is a bit swollen.”
