Spurs forward wear a mask at World Cup: here’s why.
If South Korea is to make an impact at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, it will need Heung-min Son to be at the top of his game. The Tottenham star has been dazzling in the Premier League for the past few seasons and is taking to football’s biggest stage for the third, and possibly last, time for his country.
However, the 30-year-old goalscorer will look unusual when he faces Uruguay, Ghana, and Portugal in Group H. His face will be partly covered by a mask, but it’s hardly a fashion statement.
So what is it for then? We bring you everything you need to know.
Why does Heung-min Son wear a mask at the World Cup?
Heung-min Son wears a mask at the World Cup as a protective measure after sustaining a facial injury.
The mask is designed to protect the bones of the face from impact to minimize the risk of further injury, which could affect your chances of playing.
Son was injured while playing for Tottenham in the Champions League tie against Marseille in early November, suffering a broken eye when he collided with Chancel Mbemba.
The eye injury required surgery to ensure a full recovery and concerns were raised that he would leave the South Korean World Cup squad.
“We can confirm that Heung-Min Son will undergo surgery to stabilize a fracture around his left eye,” Tottenham said. “After the surgery, Son will begin rehabilitation with our medical staff and we will update fans in due course.”
However, the forecast was optimistic for the Asian Tigers and he was ready to play. In a post on Instagram, Son said: “Playing for your country in the World Cup is a dream for so many kids growing up, as it was for me.
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world. I can’t wait to introduce you to our beautiful country, see you soon. sony”.
Although face masks are not common in soccer, several high-profile players have worn them while playing. Antonio Rudiger, for example, wore one while playing for Germany at Euro 2020, while Chelsea star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had to in September.
Interestingly, although Aubameyang had to wear the mask while playing due to injury, he also produced superhero masks as part of the celebrations. Others have emulated this approach, with Mexican striker Raúl Jiménez doing the same in games for Benfica and Wolves.
Where to buy protective masks
Protective masks are medical equipment and can be obtained through a hospital, doctor, or pharmacist.
In addition to eye injuries, they are designed to protect a wide range of facial bones, such as the nose, cheeks, and orbit.
They can cost from $60/£60 upwards and you should see a doctor if you think you should use one.
Source: www.emmacitizen.com
