[Anchor]
National football team captain Son Heung-min returned home today (July 1) along with his teammates. The atmosphere was a stark contrast to the arrival of former head coach Hong Myung-bo yesterday, which was marred by profanity. Fans greeted Son with warm support and words of comfort.
Reporter Ha Seong-nyong has the story.
[Reporter]
[Hong Myung-bo, get out!]
[Hong Myung-bo, go to hell!]
In contrast to the arrival of former coach Hong Myung-bo yesterday, which was filled with shouting and insults,
[Son Heung-min, you worked hard.]
[We love you, Son Heung-min!]
Fans who gathered at the airport from early this morning holding banners warmly welcomed and comforted captain Son Heung-min, who returned alongside teammates such as Kim Seung-gyu and Eom Ji-sung.
Son greeted the fans with a calm expression,
[Son Heung-min/National Football Team Captain: (Could you say a word to the fans? Do you have any regrets?) I am sorry.]
He kept his comments to the press brief before leaving the airport.
Having seen his fourth World Cup end in a disappointing group-stage elimination, Son posted a lengthy message on social media before his departure. In it, he apologized for the poor performance while expressing his determination to continue playing for the national team, promising to give his all for the fans once again.
Fans also expressed their hope to continue seeing the fighting spirit of Son Heung-min, who wears the Taegeuk mark.
[Lee Sae-am/Football Fan: It is heartbreaking to see that the person who should really be apologizing is not, while Son Heung-min, as captain, is apologizing on their behalf...]
[Kim Seong-jin/Football Fan: There are players like Messi, Ronaldo, and Modric who continue to play even after turning 40, so I think Son Heung-min will definitely appear in major tournaments like the World Cup no matter what.]
Son plans to recharge in Korea for the time being before departing for the United States to join his club, LA FC, for their match schedule.
With the main group returning yesterday and the rest of the squad arriving today, the South Korean national football team's World Cup journey has officially come to an end.
Reported by Yoo Dong-hyuk | Video by Kim Jong-tae | Graphics by Jeon Yu-geun
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.