Son Heung-Min Beats Cristiano Ronaldo To Win Best Footballer In Asia Award

South Korea and Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-Min has been named the Best Footballer in Asia for the seventh year in a row.

Son has now won the award nine times, having also received the prize in 2014 and 2015.

He claimed 22.9% of the overall vote to finish ahead of fellow Korean Kim Min-jae, who came second with 19.5%.

Al Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo placed third after earning 17.1% of the vote.

Son Heung-Min has won the Best Footballer in Asia award for the ninth time in 11 years

IMAGO/Sebastian Frej

Any player that represents a club or national team playing in AFC territory is eligible for the Best Footballer in Asia award.

Portugal skipper Ronaldo, 38, has been playing his club football in Saudi Arabia since January 2023.

He was the top scorer in world football last year with 54 goals in 59 matches for club and country.

Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo finished third in the vote for the 2023 award

IMAGO/AFLOSPORT

Son and Kim are currently in Qatar with the South Korea national team for the rescheduled 2023 AFC Asian Cup.

They both started in South Korea's 3-1 win over Bahrain on Monday.

The Best Footballer in Asia Award is organized by Chinese newspaper Titan Sports.

It was first presented to Japan's Keisuke Honda for his performances in 2013. Shinji Okazaki won the award for 2016. Son has won it in every other year.