"Don't Know the Future" Son Heung-min Retirement Hint? Domestic and International Football Fans' Hearts Drop

Poor Performance Ends in Defeat Against Jordan in Asian Cup
"No Regrets" Meaningful Remark
Tottenham and Wolverhampton Offer 'Comfort'

"I need to think about whether I can continue playing for the national team in the future. Because the future is uncertain."

Son Heung-min (31), captain of the South Korean national football team, said this during a press conference after being eliminated in the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup. Some interpreted his remarks as hinting at retirement from the national team, causing concern among football fans both domestically and internationally.

On the 6th (local time), Son Heung-min expressed regret after South Korea lost 0-2 to Jordan in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup semifinal held at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The South Korean team, aiming for their first championship in 64 years, lost 0-2 to Jordan in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup semifinal held at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on the morning of the 7th, ending the match with zero shots on target in a disappointing performance.

Head coach J?rgen Klinsmann, who led the national team, was strongly criticized after the match for poor tactics that led to the defeat. Some called for his resignation with heated reactions. In the mixed zone after the game, Son Heung-min defended the coach, saying, "(The coach) took care of the players without showing any signs and never gave up until the end, which impressed me."

When asked whether he believes the team can achieve good results at the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup under J?rgen Klinsmann's leadership, Son replied, "Before that, I think I need to consider whether I can continue playing for the national team." He added, "The coach might not consider me anymore," and "I really don't know what the future holds." In a later interview with a foreign media outlet, he also said, "I have no regrets. Honestly, I gave everything. It was a tough competition."

Son Heung-min will be 33 years old in 2026 when the CONCACAF World Cup takes place. Although this is not a young age for a footballer, considering that some captains have led their teams well into their mid-to-late 30s, it is realistically possible for him to continue playing on the field. There are also speculations that he might focus on his club team, as Park Ji-sung retired at 29 despite his Premier League career.

Son's meaningful remarks sparked concern among football fans worldwide on online platforms. On domestic online communities, responses such as "I want to see Son Heung-min play more for the national team" were common. Han Jun-hee, vice president of the Korea Football Association, appeared on YTN's 'News Rider' that day and said, "Son Heung-min is a player who has the attitude and mindset to play whenever the country calls, no matter how difficult it is. It is hard to imagine him announcing retirement first," attempting to calm the situation.

[Photo by Yonhap News]

The AFC Asian Cup has abolished the third-place playoff match since the 2019 tournament. Son Heung-min (Tottenham), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), and Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), who play in overseas leagues, will return to their clubs to continue their seasons.

International fans expressed affectionate support on social media for Son Heung-min returning to his club Tottenham, saying, "Now we will take care of you." Tottenham, Wolverhampton, and Paris Saint-Germain also shared the semifinal match results and offered comfort to their players as a team.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.