South Korea captain Son Heung-min apologized to fans this Monday (29) after the team’s elimination in the group stage of the World Cup and asked them to support the players instead of criticizing them after the campaign.
The apology came a day after Hong Myung-bo resigned as coach of the national team. Saturday’s results meant the South Koreans would not progress to the 32-team stage as one of eight third-placed teams in the group stage.
Expectations were high for a talented South Korean squad featuring Son, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in and Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae. In the group alongside co-hosts Mexico, the Czech Republic and South Africa, they were widely expected to reach the knockout stage.
South Korea opened with a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic, but defeats to Mexico and South Africa left the team dependent on results in other matches, ultimately falling short of a place in the knockout stages.
“I don’t know where to start,” Son said in a lengthy Instagram post. “I can’t pretend I don’t know what happened, nor do I want to escape reality.
“Firstly, I would like to offer my sincere apologies to the people of South Korea and all football-loving fans.
“As a football lover, I can only imagine how painful, frustrating and painful it must have been for you to watch such a match. So I feel that a simple ‘I’m sorry’ cannot express the disappointment and pain you must be feeling – it seems woefully inadequate to even say that…”
The former Tottenham Hotspur player, now 33, had a difficult tournament, failing to score or assist in any of South Korea’s three matches.
Questions were also raised about Hong’s handling of the attacker. Son started on the bench in South Korea’s decisive clash against South Africa and only came on in the second half. Hong had also replaced him during the defeat to Mexico.
Son, who had previously considered ending his international career following South Korea’s 2024 Asian Cup semi-final defeat, earlier this month dismissed speculation that the tournament in North America would be his last World Cup.
“I will give my all to bring joy to all of you again. I have never forgotten the promises I made to our fans. Until you call me, until you need me, I will dedicate my heart and soul to prepare and do better,” Son said.
