South Korean international striker Son Heung-min has once again been crowned the Best Asian Footballer for 2025, marking an unprecedented tenth victory in the prestigious award. His remarkable achievement saw him surpass fellow South Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in, who secured the second position, and Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who finished third in the rankings. This esteemed annual election is organized by the prominent Chinese newspaper, Titan Sports.
Established in 2013, the Best Footballer in Asia award recognizes players for their outstanding performances in Asian football activities. Eligibility extends to those participating through their national team or a club affiliated with the Asian Football Federation (AFC) during the defined evaluation period. The latest election saw a panel of 64 Asian football experts cast their votes, meticulously evaluating players’ form and impact from August 16 of the previous year through July 16 of the current year.
Son Heung-min’s consistent excellence was a key factor in his win. Prior to his recent move to Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer, the 33-year-old striker enjoyed a decade-long, highly prolific career with Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, where he was a consistent top performer. He garnered an impressive 14.26% of the votes, largely attributed to his impactful performances, including scoring ten goals across 46 games during his final season with Spurs. Beyond his club success, Son also played a crucial role in South Korea’s qualification efforts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the team targets their eleventh consecutive appearance in the global tournament.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo, despite his high-profile move to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League in January 2023, has yet to claim this particular Asian title. He has consistently placed among the top contenders in past elections, securing fourth and third positions in previous iterations, in addition to his third-place finish this year.
Since its inception in 2013, the Best Footballer in Asia award has seen 13 editions up to 2025. Son Heung-min’s ten victories solidify his status as the most decorated player in the award’s history. Other notable past winners include Qatar’s Akram Afif, who claimed the title in 2024, Japanese international midfielder Keisuke Honda in 2013, and Japanese striker Shinji Okazaki in 2016, each having won the award once.
