Son Heung-min has revealed that he sent a message to Andre Gomes following his involvement in the Everton midfielder’s freak injury last weekend.
The Tottenham star scored a brace as Mauricio Pochettino’s side overcame Red Star Belgrade 4-0 in the Champions League, just days after leaving the pitch in tears following Gomes’ ankle injury.
Following his first strike on Wednesday night, Son clasped his hands to together to make a praying gesture, which he admitted was out of respect for the Toffees star.
And the South Korea international has disclosed that he contacted Gomes following the 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.
‘I text him, it’s been a really tough few days for me. I text him before I flew and he text me back,’ he said.
‘I couldn’t read it, after the game, but I still feel really, really bad about this. I feel really sorry.
‘Football is a sport where something [like this] can happen, nobody wants to see this situation. I’m so sad this happened and that I was involved with this situation. It’s been a really, really tough few days.
‘I couldn’t read it, I just text him to say best wishes to you, I’m really sorry for you, your family and your team-mates.
‘I didn’t read it because he text me back probably when he got back home. I don’t want to talk about it too much.’
Gomes spoke for the first time since suffering a fracture dislocation of his right ankle on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old has undergone surgery since sustaining the injury and in a video on Twitter he thanked those who have offered words of comfort.
He said: ‘Hi everyone. As you already know everything went well. I’m already at home with my family and I’d like to thank you all for the support, the messages and the positive energy. Thank you.’
Son, whose red card for the foul which left Gomes with the injury has been overturned, also thanked those who have supported him following the unfortunate incident.
‘Of course, Gomes got the injury but the people around me sent me really, really strong messages,’ Son added.
‘My team-mates and even Everton fans as well, as well as Tottenham fans, even from South Korea. I’m really, really grateful for that.
‘Still, I feel really sorry about this situation but on the pitch I want to work for it because the team needs especially positive energy. I tried to work out this situation.
‘I’m always grateful to these fans. I was late [to go over to fans] because I was shaking hands with all the Red Star players and our players, then I went over with the gaffer together.
‘I want to send the message that I’m really grateful for all the messages from every single supporter.
‘Of course, it’s really difficult to say this but I’m really grateful and I realise how lucky I am. I want to pay them back on the pitch. That’s all I can do. I want to respect him [Gomes] as well, and this is how I show respect – by working harder than in the past.’
