South Korea's Son Heung-min Urges Calm as World Cup Excitement Builds

As the World Cup approaches, South Korea's captain Son Heung-min spoke to the media on Wednesday, sharing his observations about the palpable excitement among his teammates ahead of their opening match against the Czech Republic. The game will be held on Thursday at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, following the tournament's inaugural match featuring co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.

Son noted, "The guys are so fired-up for this match, and I actually have to calm them down," highlighting the intense energy within the squad. He expressed hope that their extensive preparation would yield positive results, stating, "I hope our hard work will bear fruit, and I think we absolutely deserve it. The vibe is tremendous, and I can feel it from the eyes of my teammates."

The 33-year-old former Tottenham forward is participating in his fourth World Cup, which may also be his final appearance on this grand stage. Despite facing a challenging season with Los Angeles FC, where he scored only twice, Son's enthusiasm for the tournament remains undiminished. "My mindset is similar, whether it's my first or last World Cup. I feel like a child again," he remarked.

Son added, "I have never once said this is my last World Cup. The most important thing is to do my job," emphasizing his commitment to the team regardless of external opinions. Following their opener, South Korea will compete against Mexico on June 18 and conclude their group stage against South Africa on June 24.