How Argentine star Cuti Romero sparked a mate craze in South Korea

Cristian "Cuti" Romero, the Argentine defender for Tottenham, has become an unlikely cultural ambassador, introducing the traditional South American beverage mate to his South Korean teammates, most notably Son Heung-min.

This burgeoning mate culture within the South Korean national team gained significant global attention during the recent World Cup. Striker Cho Gue-sung was photographed with a mate gourd before a match, an image that quickly went viral. This unexpected sight, so foreign to Asian culture, sparked widespread curiosity and discussion on social media.

The connection between Romero and Son at Tottenham appears to be the primary conduit for this cultural exchange. Romero has shared images of himself sharing mate with Son, who has referred to Romero as his best friend on the team. This personal bond has evidently translated into a shared habit, with Son embracing the Argentine's tradition.

The phenomenon has even extended to Cho Gue-sung, who now plays in Denmark. His World Cup performance catapulted him to global stardom, and the mate incident further amplified his profile. Beyond the pitch, Romero's popularity in South Korea is also attributed to his perceived attractive appearance, earning him affectionate nicknames like "Cutie" from fans.