Son Heung-min, the 'Hidden MVP' of the Czech Republic Match, Gears Up for a Milestone

[Anchor]

The South Korean national football team, currently competing in the North and Central America World Cup, enjoyed a well-deserved day of rest today, June 14. In particular, every move of captain Son Heung-min, who was named the 'hidden MVP' of the victory against the Czech Republic by his teammates, has become a major topic of conversation locally.

Lee Jeong-Chan reports from Guadalajara.

[Reporter]

After the match against the Czech Republic, national team captain Son Heung-min remained humble.

[Son Heung-min/Captain of the National Football Team: In-beom, Hyun-gyu, and Seung-gyu all played very well. I didn't do much.]

However, Son's true value is revealed in the numbers.

Despite playing only 69 minutes, he recorded 16 direct pressures, ranking second on the team in that category, and made 14 penetrations into the space behind the defense, the most among all forwards.

He reached a top speed of 35.2 km/h (21.9 mph), the fastest of any player on both teams, effectively wearing down the opposing defenders.

As the only regret was not scoring a goal, Son is now looking to 'settle the score' against Mexico, a team with which he shares a special history.

He previously pierced the Mexican goal with a stinging left-footed shot in a friendly match last year, and he vividly remembers scoring a spectacular curling goal against them during the Russia World Cup eight years ago.

In particular, thanks to the so-called 'Miracle of Kazan' that followed in the match against Germany, Mexico dramatically advanced to the Round of 16, making Son a 'hero' here.

[Son, hermano, ya eres mexicano. Son, hermano, ya eres mexicano.]

[Nesto/Mexican football fan: It means, 'Son, brother, you are now Mexican.' It's because we advanced to the Round of 16 thanks to Son Heung-min.]

After becoming a massive local sensation today by visiting a taco restaurant with his father during his day off, Son plans to tighten his laces and get back to work starting tomorrow.

Son Heung-min, the hero of Mexican football fans, is dreaming of another historic moment here in Guadalajara.

[Corea, hermano, ya eres mexicano. Korean brothers, you are now Mexican.]

(Reported by Hwang In-seok | Video edited by So Ji-hye | Designed by Choi Jae-young)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.