Son Heung-min dismisses national team coach's remarks concerning his role as captain
Son Heung-min, the captain of the South Korean national football team, is currently on a trip with the team for the upcoming friendlies in the United States. The first match will be against the US in the Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, New Jersey, followed by a game against Mexico in Nashville, Tennessee.
During the trip, Son Heung-min has been open about his preparations and expectations. He expressed trust in his coach, Hong Myung-bo, to make the best decision regarding his position, whether it be as a winger or striker.
When asked about facing his former Tottenham Hotspur boss, Mauricio Pochettino, Son Heung-min emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on the field. "There will be no friendship on the field when facing Pochettino," he said, acknowledging their shared history at Tottenham but stressing that the game is about competition, not personal relationships.
Son Heung-min has been the captain of the South Korean team since 2018 and has shown leadership both on and off the field. He mentioned his pleasure at seeing other veteran members of the leadership group trying to help younger players, and encouraged his teammates not to fear failure as they prepare for the FIFA World Cup.
However, there has been some speculation about Son Heung-min's leadership, with head coach Hong Myung-bo reportedly not offering him his full support for the upcoming friendlies. Son Heung-min, however, denied that his leadership is being questioned and stated that he has no issues with the comments made by Hong Myung-bo.
Despite the potential challenges, Son Heung-min remains optimistic. He believes that playing away from home will boost the confidence of younger players and is committed to creating a comfortable environment for his teammates to perform at their best.
As the team prepares for the friendlies and the upcoming FIFA World Cup, Son Heung-min expressed respect for his former manager, Mauricio Pochettino, and emphasized the importance of staying focused and giving their best performance.
