“From the time I participated in the World Cup, I felt that the possibility of our country reaching the round of 16 was quite high. , you’ll be happier.”
Son Heung-min (30, Tottenham Hotspur) looked back at the World Cup, which was fierce but heated. He suffered an orbital fracture right before the World Cup, and spoke candidly about his feelings at the time. Every moment was a miracle and a challenge to every possibility.
Son Heung-min was the best striker in the Premier League in the 2021-22 season. He shared the Golden Boot (top scorer) with Mohamed Salah after a fierce competition in the last minute. As the first Asian to become the top scorer in the top 5 leagues, the ‘world class’ debate came to an end.
In the 2022-23 season, there was a ‘2022 International Football Federation (FIFA) World Cup in Qatar’ in winter during the season. Because of the winter World Cup, every day in Europe was Boxing Day. In the midst of a tight schedule, he suffered an orbital fracture injury in a collision during a ball fight against Marseille in the UEFA Champions League group stage just before the World Cup.
Son Heung-min recalled the day when he suffered an orbital fracture, saying, “Actually, I thought I would not be able to participate in the World Cup because of the injury,” in an exclusive interview with Sports Time of ‘SPOTV’, an English Premier League broadcaster. In fact, domestic and foreign media also dominated the opinion that in some cases, if it was serious, they would not be able to participate.
I wanted to participate in the World Cup somehow, and I wanted to recover quickly from my injury. He got on the operating table and concentrated on his recovery and was able to play from the first match of the World Cup group stage wearing a mask. Son Heung-min looked back, saying, “It was not an easy decision, but I participated in the World Cup with a lot of help.”
Mask with an orbital fracture injury, defeated Portugal in the third match of the group stage and advanced to the round of 16 with 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss. Even the situation in Uruguay and Ghana matched, breaking through a 9% chance and making an away round of 16 miracle in 12 years. Although Son Heung-min played in three World Cups, the Qatar World Cup was a series of miracles and possibilities.
Son Heung-min wanted to share with everyone what he felt at the World Cup, breaking through small possibilities.
When asked about the difference from previous tournaments, he said, “I wish I could have gone higher than the round of 16, but it seems to have given a lot of people emotion and fun of soccer. It was a very meaningful tournament. From my participation in the World Cup to the round of 16, this possibility is quite high I felt it. If everyone believes in small possibilities and lives, they will surely be happier. I felt this a lot during the World Cup, so I wanted to share it.”
What is the difference between the Korean national team and Tottenham? Son Heung-min said 메이저사이트, “When I go to the national team, the young players rely on me and talk a lot. In Tottenham, I can play with my friends in good agreement. I am training well. In fact, there is no big difference.”
Now, the World Cup break is over and the Premier League schedule is in full swing. When asked how he felt about returning to the Premier League, Son Heung-min said, “When I was playing for the national team, I was concerned about the weight of the national team, and then when I suddenly played with my friends in my team, there were some awkward parts. I am also good at working and breathing. I want to quickly improve what will become better, and I want to do well.”
More detailed stories and exclusive interview videos can be found on Korea’s only sports OTT ‘SPOTV NOW’.