Son Heung-min Dismisses Retirement Rumors: "I Will Give Everything to Run Again"

[Anchor]

National team captain Son Heung-min has shared his thoughts on social media for the first time since the World Cup disaster. While apologizing for the poor performance, he expressed his determination to continue playing for the national team, stating that he would "give everything and run with all his might" for the fans.

Reporter Ha Seong-ryong has the story.

[Reporter]

Son Heung-min, who saw his fourth World Cup come to a disappointing end, posted a long message on social media before his flight home.

He first bowed his head, saying, "I am sincerely sorry to the fans, and I feel a great sense of responsibility for failing to repay their support."

Son, who had expressed his excitement several times ahead of this tournament as he aimed for major records, such as becoming the all-time top scorer for South Korea in the World Cup, said:

[Son Heung-min/National Football Team Captain (June 11): Whether it is my first World Cup or my fourth, my mindset is always the same. I think of it as a stage where I dream, just like a young child.]

Stating that he could not believe the reality of being eliminated in the group stage, he revealed his heartbreak, writing, "It feels as if the stage of my dreams has collapsed, and I am devastated and in pain."

Nevertheless, he vowed to keep running to win back the hearts of the fans.

"I will do my best and run with all my might to win back the hearts of the fans," he wrote. "I will pour everything I have into preparing well again for as long as the fans need me," effectively dismissing rumors of his retirement from the national team that had been circulating in some quarters.

Son is scheduled to return to South Korea soon to recharge before heading back to the United States to join his club, LA FC, for the resumption of the league season on the 18th.

(Video by Hwang In-seok | Video Editing by Lee Jae-seong | Graphics by Kim Min-young)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.