After the South Korean men’s national football team crashed out of the World Cup in the group stage, the team’s iconic captain Son Heung-min has issued a public apology to the nation’s fans, opening up about his profound emotional pain and vowing to win back public support for the national side going forward.
In an extensive Instagram post shared late Monday, the global football star — who currently plies his trade with Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC and remains a national hero in his home country — acknowledged he fully grasps the depth of public disappointment surrounding the team’s underwhelming tournament run. The outcome has already sparked sharp public backlash, including public criticism from South Korea’s president and the resignation of head coach Hong Myung-bo.
Son wrote that a simple apology could never measure up to the letdown fans have felt, adding: “I don’t dare to convey the disappointment and hurt of the fans with a single word ‘sorry,’ so even saying those words feels insufficient.”
The 33-year-old, who has described the World Cup as the “child’s dream stage” throughout his career, shared his raw personal grief over the exit. “The ‘child’s dream stage’ that I always talked about has collapsed. I’m indescribably stuck and hurt. To be honest, it’s still not easy to accept this reality,” he added.
South Korea’s Group A campaign got off to a promising start with an opening victory over the Czech Republic, but the side dropped consecutive matches to Mexico and South Africa, ultimately failing to claim one of the tournament’s knockout stage spots as a top-three third-place finisher. Son, who was named to the bench for the decisive final group fixture against South Africa, left the tournament without registering a single goal, and said he carries personal accountability for falling short of the expectations placed on the team.
“I couldn’t repay the time, heart, and constant support and love that the fans gave,” he said of his own performance.
In a move that quashed speculation about his imminent retirement from international football, Son made clear he intends to continue representing his country. “I will do my best in my position again to win the hearts of the Korean people and football fans,” he stated.
Son also issued a plea to the South Korean public, asking supporters to rally around the current squad rather than heap criticism on the young players. He called on fans to “send warm support and encouragement rather than criticizing and hurting all the players.”