This is the national team captain, patriotism, and Son Heung-min. I have so many good memories. It's always a great honor

Sep 08, 2025

Sportschosun DB

Son Heung-min, the captain of the Korean national team, has a different patriotism.

The U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS) shared Son Heung-min's interview about the Korean national team on its official account on the 7th (Korea time). The question Son Heung-min received was "Do you have any most memorable memories when representing your country?It was ".

Son Heung-min "I have so many good memories. She won a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games. In 2018, he won against Germany. (In 2022) they beat Portugal in a special way. I had many good memories in 2014. Unfortunately, we were eliminated, but it was my first World Cup. It's really hard to choose one because I have so many good memories in the national team. It's always a great honor to play for the national team," he said without hesitation.

The 2018 Asian Games and the 2022 World Cup brought about precious memories for Son Heung-min, but the 2014 and 2018 World Cups were regrettable as a result. Son Heung-min shed tears without winning a single World Cup in his first World Cup. In the 2018 World Cup, he failed to achieve his goal by failing to advance to the round of 16 despite his all-time victory to quell the world's strongest Germany.

In addition, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup in 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023 also failed to bring Son Heung-min a championship trophy. In 2015, he lost in the final, and the 2023 Asian Cup national team, which was considered the best player of all time, suffered a crushing defeat by Jordan in the semifinals, and Son Heung-min shed tears again.

In a situation where there is as much pain as memories, Son Heung-min says it is still an honor to play for his country. Son Heung-min's patriotism also affected his future destination decision when he decided to leave Tottenham. Originally, LA FC was not Son's top choice, but Son decided to go to the U.S. for the World Cup, which could be his last.

Before moving to LA FC, Son Heung-min said "In a way, the World Cup was the most important thing. It could be the last World Cup for me. I should be able to be an environment where I can pour everything into it, and this was the biggest part." It was because I wanted to show a good performance at the World Cup.

Son Heung-min's decision is already showing up as an effect. In September, Son Heung-min joined the U.S. A-match away game in good condition, unlike the past 10 years. If he were still a Tottenham player, he would have had to travel a long distance to the United States after finishing his tight schedule in the Premier League (EPL) and adjust to the time difference. It is impossible to maintain good physical condition even before the game.

But because he was staying in the U.S., Son was able to play in better condition. Son Heung-min, who has been in good condition, became the leading contributor to bringing the U.S. match to victory by scoring one goal and one assist as a front-line striker. This is why Son Heung-min, who will be held at the U.S. World Cup a year later, is expected.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.