GUADALJARA, Mexico (AP) — South Korean captain Son Heung-min will be playing for the fourth time. world cup I feel like I’m a boy again, and I’m looking forward to some special support from my Mexican fans.
Son, who will make his debut for South Korea in the Group A tournament against the Czech Republic in Guadalajara on Thursday, plays in Major League Soccer in Los Angeles. In neighboring Mexico, he is known as “Sonaldo”, with some referring to Portugal great Cristiano Ronaldo and others referring to former Brazil international striker Ronaldo.
“I’m in Los Angeles right now, and there are a lot of Mexicans there,” he said Wednesday through an interpreter. “I can feel their passion and love for soccer, and they support me so much. I am truly grateful and grateful.”
However, he said he is not worried enough to accept the nickname “Sonardo”, at least not yet.
South Korea’s second match will also be held in Guadalajara, but Son will likely not be able to count on the support of the local crowd as his team will be playing co-host Mexico. South Korea’s third and final group match will be against Mexico again, this time against South Africa in Monterrey.
Son, 33, had a successful career with Tottenham in the Premier League before moving to Los Angeles. He has been playing for the South Korean national team since 2010 and made his World Cup debut at the 2014 Brazil tournament. He also played in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022.
Son said, “Whether it’s my first or fourth World Cup, I feel like I’m a boy again.” “This is my dream stage. I’m happy to be back on the World Cup pitch. It’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was little.”
He denied reports that this could be his last World Cup.
“I never said this would be my last World Cup,” he said. “How I act and perform is most important.”
Son knows he is one of the most experienced players on the Korean national team and has used that status to help younger players.
“Sometimes you have to calm them down and say, ‘Calm down,'” he says. “We hope for a good result. That’s natural. We are well prepared.”
South Korea is participating in the World Cup for the 12th time, the most of any Asian country. Their best result was in 2002, when they reached the semi-finals and placed 4th in a tournament co-hosted with Japan. Since then, no Korean team has made it past the top 16.
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