Tottenham Hotspur’s midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has issued an apology to his teammate Son Heung-Min following a controversial remark he made about South Koreans. Bentancur faced backlash after a comment he made during a recent appearance on Uruguayan television. When asked about Son, he joked that all South Koreans “look the same,” which was widely condemned as a racist statement.
During the interview, Bentancur suggested that the interviewer could get a jersey from the cousin of Son Heung-Min, implying that all South Koreans have a similar appearance. This ill-considered joke sparked significant criticism, prompting Bentancur to publicly apologize to Son via social media. In his apology, Bentancur expressed deep regret, saying, “Sony brother! I apologize to you for what happened, it was just a very bad joke! You know I love you and would never want to disrespect or hurt you or anyone else. I love you, brother!”
Son Heung-Min, who had an impressive season with 17 goals and ten assists in 36 appearances across all competitions for Spurs, has not publicly responded to Bentancur’s apology. However, Son’s future with Tottenham remains uncertain as his contract is set to expire in 2025. Recent reports link him with a potential move to Fenerbahce, managed by his former coach Jose Mourinho. Son has expressed feeling “uncomfortable” with his current situation at Tottenham but remains committed to performing his best for the club.
Jose Mourinho, who previously managed Tottenham and has a high regard for Son, has praised the player’s versatility and talent. Mourinho believes Son has the potential to play for top teams around the world, not just for Tottenham. “I don’t look at Son as a Korean player; I look at him as one of the best players in the world,” Mourinho said. He noted that Son could excel at clubs like Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, or even at top teams abroad, emphasizing Son’s modern mobility and ability to play in various attacking roles.
As speculation about Son’s future continues, his focus remains on contributing to Tottenham and achieving more in the Premier League. Despite the recent controversy, the incident highlights the importance of sensitivity and respect among teammates, especially in the diverse world of international football.