South Korea's Son Heung-min Heads to World Cup, Potentially His Last

South Korean football superstar Son Heung-min has led the national team on a journey to North America to prepare for the FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off in June. International media suggest this could be the final World Cup of his professional career. According to AFP, a shadow hangs over Son Heung-min and the South Korean national team. The 33-year-old captain's recent poor form and his prospects on the international stage have been questioned; meanwhile, national team coach Hong Myung-bo is highly unpopular among fans. South Korea's morale is low after a 0-4 loss to Ivory Coast in a World Cup friendly in late March and a 0-1 defeat to Austria in early April. After the match, Hong defended Son, telling reporters, 'Son Heung-min is the core of our team, and I have never doubted that.' Since Son transferred from Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, where he played for 10 years, to Los Angeles FC (LAFC) in Major League Soccer (MLS) last year, it is widely believed that his career peak has passed. This World Cup is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with the first match opening in Mexico City on June 11 and the final scheduled for July 19 in New Jersey. The South Korean team will face the Czech Republic in Guadalajara, Mexico, on the opening day of the tournament. If South Korea wants to advance to the knockout stage, they must rely on Son Heung-min's offensive output. After two consecutive friendly losses, Son told Yonhap News, 'I don't think I'm on the decline. When I think it's time to leave the national team, I will decide for myself.'