Fans greet deflated players with words of encouragement

Son Heung-min offers brief apology, says little

Son Heung-min of South Korea's national football team arrives at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport on Tuesday after completing his campaign at the 2026 North America World Cup. [Yonhap]
Son Heung-min of South Korea's national football team arrives at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport on Tuesday after completing his campaign at the 2026 North America World Cup. [Yonhap]

Captain Son Heung-min of LAFC and several teammates returned home Tuesday to the warm support of waiting fans after South Korea's run at the 2026 North America World Cup came to an end.

Son arrived at Incheon International Airport in the early hours of Tuesday alongside Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan), Kim Jin-gyu (Jeonbuk), Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland), Lee Tae-seok (Vienna), Lee Gi-hyeok (Gangwon), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke), Jo Wi-je and Kang Sang-yun (both Jeonbuk).

The national team wrapped up its World Cup schedule after three group-stage matches and returned home in separate groups over successive days.

Earlier, on Monday morning, head coach Hong Myung-bo, Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) and four others had been the first to land.

The flight carrying Tuesday's group of players was scheduled to arrive around 4 a.m., but fans dressed in national team jerseys had already gathered at the airport from 2 a.m. to wait for them.

By the time the plane touched down, about 50 people — fans and curious onlookers alike — had filled the area around the arrival gate.

Son, Eom Ji-seong, Kim Seung-gyu and Song Beom-geun were the first to emerge from the arrivals hall, with the remaining players following in a second group about 20 minutes later.

As Son walked out, fans who had stayed up through the night called out "You worked so hard," "Fighting" and "Don't hang your head," showering him with warm encouragement.

The players moved through the arrivals hall and headed straight for the exit without stopping to speak. When reporters asked Son how he felt and whether he had a message for fans, he offered only a brief "I'm sorry" before moving on.

The mood stood in sharp contrast to the scene the previous day, when a crowd of about 300 fans had greeted coach Hong and his group with loud jeers.

Fans wearing their favorite players' jerseys held up banners reading "Hang in there, Jae-sung" and "Son Heung-min, we're with you for life," quietly sending messages of comfort to the players as they passed.


yjc@heraldcorp.com