Son Heung-min, the celebrated footballer for Tottenham Hotspur, has shared his personal connection to the popular PC game League of Legends (LoL) in a special video titled From the Pitch to Summoner’s Rift, released today by Riot Games. In this feature, Son opens up about his journey as a football player while offering fans a glimpse into his experiences playing LoL, a game he has enjoyed since 2019.
In the video, Son Heung-min talks about how LoL has become a significant part of his life, particularly when it comes to staying connected with his roots. For Son, playing LoL on the Korean server is a way to feel close to home, even while living and playing abroad. He mentions that in 2024, his favorite champions in the game’s jungle role include Lee Sin, the most-picked champion by Korean players, as well as Vi and Rammus.
Son highlights the pure joy he experiences through LoL, emphasizing that it's a source of fun and relaxation outside of his football career. The video also shows him engaging with other players, reflecting his enthusiasm for the game. Despite his demanding schedule as a world-class athlete, Son enjoys taking time to immerse himself in the competitive and strategic world of League of Legends.
In addition to his love for playing the game, Son Heung-min expresses his admiration for the LoL esports scene, particularly the Korean professional league, League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK). He reveals that he is an avid fan of the LCK and regularly watches matches. As an athlete who represents his country on the international stage, Son feels a connection to esports star Faker (Lee Sang-hyeok) from T1, noting their shared experience of competing for their country.
The video, From the Pitch to Summoner’s Rift, offers fans a unique opportunity to see another side of Son Heung-min—one that goes beyond the football field and into the digital arena. His love for LoL, both as a player and a fan of its competitive scene, highlights his multifaceted interests and his ability to connect with people through different passions.
Son's candid reflections in the video shed light on how gaming, particularly League of Legends, plays a role in his life off the pitch. For him, LoL represents not just a hobby, but a way to unwind and stay connected with Korea, despite his busy career abroad. The game’s competitive nature and strategic depth seem to appeal to Son's own drive as a professional athlete, making it a perfect fit for his personality.
As one of South Korea's most recognized sports figures, Son Heung-min’s connection to LoL underscores the growing influence of esports on mainstream sports culture. His participation in this video also reflects the ever-blurring lines between traditional sports and esports, showing that elite athletes can enjoy gaming just as much as their fans do.
The video From the Pitch to Summoner’s Rift is available on the official League of Legends YouTube channel, where fans of both football and LoL can watch Son Heung-min share his unique gaming journey.
Sayart / Jack Lee, wangjb77@gmail.com
