As it became known that Korean national soccer team captains Son Heung-min (Tottenham) and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) had a physical fight ahead of the semifinals against Jordan, Son Heung-min's meaningful remarks are being reexamined.
The Korean national soccer team suffered a shocking 0-2 loss without recording a single effective shot in the Asian Cup semifinals against Jordan on the 7th.
In an interview conducted after the game, Son Heung-min said, “I think I need to think about whether I can continue playing for the national team in the future. The director may not want me anymore. “That’s because we don’t know much about the future,” he said.
A week later, on the 14th, the British media outlet The Sun reported, “Korea suffered a shocking defeat in the semifinals of the Asian Cup,” and that “Son Heung-min suffered a dislocated finger in a fight with a teammate the day before the team was eliminated from the Asian Cup.”
The Korea Football Association (KFA) also unusually immediately acknowledged the conflict between players. An official from the Football Association said, “It is true that there was a fight between some players during the tournament,” but “it did not reach the level of a physical (fist fight) conflict.” “Son Heung-min suffered a finger injury in the process of shaking off (the player),” he said.
In an interview with British media outlet The Standard on the 12th (local time), Son Heung-min said, “I don’t want to talk about the Asian Cup ever again.” He continued, “(Losing in the semifinals) is a difficult result to accept, but this is also part of soccer. “It’s a really painful experience, but I will overcome it through soccer.”
There was speculation that the remark was an indication of his retirement from the national team, but as news broke that Son Heung-min dislocated his finger in an argument with juniors including Lee Kang-in just before the game against Jordan, speculation that the remark stemmed from internal strife within the team gained weight.
Coach Klinsmann also left a meaningful message on social media after losing in the semifinals. Along with a photo showing the Korean national team all gathered together and linking arms, he said, “To achieve your dream, you have to work as a team.”
Coach Klinsmann's remarks did not receive much attention at the time, but they were interpreted as hinting at conflict between players.
In addition, when Son Heung-min was asked about Lee Kang-in's failure to play after the friendly match against Costa Rica during the 2022 Qatar World Cup, he said, "(Lee) Kang-in is a good player. He knows how much he wants to play. “I don’t know what words to comfort you,” he said, “but one thing is certain. Attention is also being drawn to the fact that he expressed his belief, “We shouldn’t become a team just for Kangin.”
Son Heung-min then added, “The fact that all the spotlight is focused on Kangin is hurtful not only to the team but also to Kangin himself.”
Meanwhile, Lee Kang-in said on social media on the 14th, “An article reported that he had an argument with Son Heung-min ahead of the Asian Cup semifinals. It was a huge disappointment to soccer fans who always support the national team. “I’m really sorry,” he apologized. 사설토토