South Korea national football team captain Son Heung-min. [Yonhap]
South Korea national football team captain Son Heung-min. [Yonhap]

Online support for South Korea captain Son Heung-min has been pouring in after the national team failed to advance past the group stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

A photo recently shared on the online community Bobaedream showed a piece of paper affixed to the back of a truck reading, "Son Heung-min, I feel for you — hang in there." The message appeared to express sympathy and encouragement for Son, who captained the side throughout the tournament.

The person who posted the photo wrote, "I can feel a deep sigh rising from the pit of my stomach as well," conveying a sense of lingering disappointment.

South Korea finished the group stage with one win and two losses, ending the tournament in 34th place. Particularly painful was the final group match against South Africa — a draw would have been enough to advance — which Korea lost 1-0, leaving fans deeply frustrated. Son's absence from the starting lineup for that match also sparked controversy.

Amid the fallout, Son took to social media Tuesday to issue a public apology. "I am truly sorry to the fans," he wrote. "Until the fans call for me again, until they need me again, I will pour everything I have into preparing well and coming back."

Fans responded to Son's statement with a wave of support. Comments included: "Son Heung-min truly gave everything he had"; "I want to see you on the pitch again at the next World Cup"; "There are others who should be apologizing, not you"; "I hope you keep playing for the national team into your 40s, like Messi and Ronaldo"; "We're this angry — imagine how the players must have felt"; and "I pray that Son Heung-min gets to challenge again at the next World Cup with a proper manager."


choigo@heraldcorp.com