'The three weeks were tough' - Son opens up on South Korean military service

Son Heung-min has spoken about 'three tough weeks' of military service in his native South Korea during the coronavirus crisis.

The Tottenham forward used the pause of football to take the time to complete his mandatory national service in the South Korean Military Corps.

Awarded South Korea's Pilsung prize, Son excelled in shooting skills and was the top performer among 157 trainees. The 27-year-old - who is exempt from the full 21-month service after winning the Asian Games with his country in 2018 - admitted it was a 'good experience.'

'I couldn't say everything that I've done but I enjoyed it. The three weeks were tough,' Son told Tottenham's YouTube channel.

'On the first days no one knew each other so it was a bit weird, but soon we got to know each other. You have to spend every day together, there were ten people in one room so we got very close.

'We were working together, helping each other. In the first days the other guys couldn't even speak to me but by the end we were joking and enjoying together.'

Having returned to training in London, the forward confirmed he has made a full recovery from the broken arm suffered in Spurs' Premier League game against Aston Villa on February 16.

Son managed to play on for 90 minutes, and score twice including a last-minute winner, after sustaining the injury in the opening moments of the game at Villa Park.

'It's been a very busy three months - I felt very bad after the Villa game,' Son added.

'I didn't realise how bad that was. I went to the hospital and saw the X-ray, I was shocked. It was painful because football is my life... not training with the guys, not enjoying football.

'I'm very excited because after the military service, I missed the guys. I've almost seen every player come back with a smile, and it's an amazing feeling.'