Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41, is gearing up for his sixth FIFA World Cup representing Portugal. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi, who is two years younger, will celebrate his 39th birthday just days after Argentina’s second group stage match against Austria. Veteran players like Luka Modric, Manuel Neuer, and Edin Dzeko, all at the age of 40, are also set to retain their places on the pitch during this summer’s North American Games.
Prospects for South Korea at the Next World Cup
As the excitement builds for the upcoming tournament, questions arise about the future of players like Son Heung-min. At 33, he may not be around for the next World Cup in four years, raising speculation regarding whether 2026 could mark South Korea’s final celebration on this grand stage. Reflecting on his career, it was 12 years ago when Son made his World Cup debut, almost unrecognizable with a vibrant golden mop of hair and sporting the number 9 jersey instead of his now-familiar number 7.
During that tournament, South Korea experienced their worst performance since 1998, securing just one point from matches against Belgium, Algeria, and Russia. At that time, Son had already transitioned from Hamburg, where he kicked off his professional career, to Bayer Leverkusen, where he began emerging as a noteworthy talent in Europe’s top leagues. By the age of 22, he had already accumulated 25 international caps without shouldering the heavy expectations of the nation, thanks to the presence of players like Koo Ja-cheol, Ki Sung-young, and Park Chu-young.
Determined to move beyond a disappointing World Cup debut, Son focused on establishing himself at Leverkusen before transferring to Tottenham Hotspur, where his career truly began to flourish. Ahead of the 2018 World Cup, he had just completed two consecutive seasons with double-digit goals in the Premier League, amassing a total of 39 goals in all competitions.
South Korea faced disheartening defeats to Sweden and Mexico in their opening matches, yet they entered their final group game against Germany with a glimmer of hope. Against all odds, South Korea shocked the defending champions with a thrilling 2-0 victory, highlighted by Son’s astonishing goal in stoppage time, which began with a swift run from his own half after Germany’s goalkeeper pushed forward in a desperate attempt to equalize.
Despite the triumph, South Korea’s progression was thwarted when Sweden defeated Mexico, preventing them from advancing from the group stage. Following the match, Son expressed his pride in the team’s performance but was quickly overcome with emotion when realizing they had narrowly missed their chance.
As the 2022 World Cup approached, Son found himself navigating challenges, including recovery from multiple facial fractures. Yet, he remained a crucial part of his team’s strategy, receiving recognition for his outstanding performances leading up to the tournament, including sharing the Premier League Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah.
South Korea’s journey in 2022 saw them achieve a historic return to the knockout stage for the first time since 2010, even as they faced Brazil in the Round of 16. The match ended in a disappointing 4-1 defeat, yet Son’s contributions throughout the tournament continued to underline his position as South Korea’s most influential player.
As he prepares for his fourth World Cup, Son enters a late phase of his illustrious career. While South Korea may lack depth, their starting lineup features experienced players, including Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae and Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Gang-in. With a favorable draw against teams such as the Czech Republic and host country Mexico, opportunities abound for Son and his teammates to excel once more.
While Son’s World Cup narrative has already generated significant discussion, at least one more chapter awaits. He has undoubtedly borne the weight of his national team’s aspirations throughout his career, and as he aims for one final hurrah in 2026, fans and players alike are eager to see what he accomplishes on this prestigious international stage.
