Son Heung-min: "Discord Rumors Are Part of the Growth Process... I'll Respond with Better Performances"

Joint statement with Hwang Heechan and others addresses rumors of discord
"Talked with players... an opportunity to make the team stronger"
"Captaincy is a great honor... more time for the Asian Cup"

Son Heung-min (LAFC), captain of South Korea's national soccer team, said the recent rumors of discord surrounding the team had given the players an opportunity to understand one another better and make the team stronger. He also said he hopes the team will be judged by its performance rather than by conflicts going forward.

At an official press conference on November 12 (Korea time) at Qatar University’s training ground in Doha, Qatar, ahead of a friendly against Saudi Arabia, Son said, “There has been a lot of talk about the national team, so it has been a difficult time.” He added, “But it was a good opportunity for the players to talk more with one another, and I think this is part of the process of the team becoming healthier and growing.”

South Korea national football team captain Son Heung-min answers questions from reporters at the Qatar University training ground in Doha, Qatar, on the 12th local time, a day before a friendly match against Saudi Arabia. Yonhap News.

Earlier, Son issued a joint statement with four senior members of the national team: Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), Hwang In-beom (Porto), Hwang Hee-chan (Schalke), and Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), addressing the rumors of discord.

In the statement, they said, “The rumors of discord among our national team players did not stem from a personal conflict with a particular player or from competing interests over a particular issue. Rather, they arose from our shared belief that the national team needs to improve.” They added, “It is absolutely untrue that we tried to push through specific demands by making them conditional on retirement.”

“Since everyone has grown up with different perspectives and in different circumstances, it is only natural that there will be things that make us uncomfortable with one another,” Son said. “Those are things the senior players have to take on, and the younger players also need to understand and move past.”

He also stressed that problems within the national team should be resolved within the squad. “The coach also said that matters within the national team should be resolved internally as much as possible,” Son said. “I also believe these issues should be resolved within the national team, and I hope our many fans will understand.” He added, “We have talked things through and agreed to move toward one goal in one direction, so I hope people will talk only about the national team's performance going forward.”

He also expressed his sense of responsibility as captain. “Whether I take on or step down from the captaincy is not a decision for me alone. I believe this responsibility is a great honor that not everyone gets to bear,” he said. “While I am captain, I will try to set a good example for the younger players, both on and off the pitch.”

Son said his joy at joining the national team remains unchanged. “It is incredibly enjoyable just to meet up with the players ahead of two consecutive international matches,” he said. “It is a precious opportunity and experience for players who are good at soccer to come together, train, and compete. I always feel the same way.”

He also responded positively to the Asian Cup, which has been postponed by a year. “I think the postponement has given the national team more time to become stronger,” Son said. “I also have to maintain my form and fitness to take the field at the Asian Cup. I have never taken it for granted that I would be able to wear the Taegeuk mark.” He added, “The Asian Cup is the trophy South Korea has waited the longest to win in its soccer history. It would be wonderful to win it with such a strong squad. We will prepare well during the extended time, with the goal of winning, and aim to have a successful tournament.”

South Korea will play a friendly against Saudi Arabia at 11:30 p.m. on November 13 in Doha, Qatar.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.