South Korean national football team captain Son Heung-min (LAFC) and several other players returned home to the comfort of fans after failing to advance to the Round of 32 in the World Cup.

Son and eight other players, having finished their tournament schedule, arrived at Incheon International Airport early this morning (July 1).

The national team departed for home in several groups after concluding their World Cup campaign.

Previously, head coach Hong Myung-bo, Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), and four others arrived yesterday morning. Today, Son Heung-min, along with Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan), Kim Jin-kyu (Jeonbuk), Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland), Lee Tae-seok (Wien), Lee Gi-hyuk (Gangwon), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), Jo Wi-je, and Kang Sang-yoon (both Jeonbuk) returned to Korea.

The flight carrying the players was scheduled to arrive around 4:00 a.m., but fans wearing national team uniforms had already gathered at the airport as early as 2:00 a.m. to wait for the players.

By the time the plane arrived, about 50 people, including fans and curious citizens, had filled the area around the gate.

Son Heung-min, Eom Ji-sung, Kim Seung-gyu, and Song Bum-keun appeared in the arrival hall first, while the remaining players followed in groups at approximately 20-minute intervals.

As Son emerged from the arrival hall, fans who had stayed up all night cheered him on with messages such as "You worked hard," "Fighting," and "Don't bow your head."

The players left the arrival hall and headed directly to the gate without making any specific comments.

When asked by reporters about his feelings and if he had any words for the fans, Son kept his response brief, saying, "I am sorry."

The atmosphere at the airport today stood in contrast to the previous day, when about 300 fans gathered to jeer at head coach Hong and his group upon their arrival.

Fans wore jerseys of their favorite players and held banners with messages like "Cheer up, Jae-sung" and "We're with you forever, Son Heung-min," silently offering their support to the players.

(Photo: Yonhap News)