During a recent visit to downtown Guadalajara, Son Heung-min was spotted enjoying tacos, particularly Al Pastor and Arrachera varieties. The former Tottenham star was surrounded by fans after taking an Uber from South Korea’s training camp, highlighting his immense popularity. However, some online voices suggested he could have chosen a better dining spot.
His team’s performance has not matched his off-field fame, as evidenced by their 1-0 loss to Mexico in their second Group A match. Son, who will turn 34 before the quarter-finals, struggled for chances as the Taegeuk Warriors played defensively, holding out for a draw until a blunder from goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu, who was also seen enjoying tacos, handed the co-hosts a surprising victory and top spot in the group. As Korea prepares to face South Africa in their final group match, a win is crucial; a draw could suffice for advancement, but a loss would jeopardize their chances of progressing.
In his previous match, Son was substituted after less than an hour, having missed key opportunities in a 2-1 comeback victory against Czechia. His current central role appears ineffective, sparking debate back home about whether he should return to the left flank, where Oh Hyeon-gyu, who replaced him in the opener and scored the winning goal, has been performing well.
Looking ahead to the pivotal game against South Africa in Monterrey, the pressure is mounting. If Son, with the guidance of head coach Hong Myung-bo, can find his rhythm and lead the team to success, it would set a positive tone heading into the knockout stages. A draw would keep them in contention, but the atmosphere surrounding the team remains uncertain.
Upon arriving in Mexico, where they have received warm welcomes from fans, South Korea’s recent form had raised concerns among supporters. Their initial victory over Czechia was promising and filled with excitement, but it came with the caveat that the Czech team appears to be the weakest link among European competitors.
However, Son’s off-field challenges have overshadowed his on-pitch contributions. During a training session on June 7, media personnel were caught on camera ridiculing Son’s military service history. He secured exemption from the mandatory 21-month service by winning gold at the 2018 Asian Games but underwent basic training in 2020. The leaked footage prompted the Korea Football Association to issue a statement expressing regret over the “inappropriate remarks made by some media personnel … the recent leak of inappropriate conversations between some media officials at a training site caused great shock and disappointment to the team”
This incident led to a temporary media blackout from the team, exacerbating tensions surrounding the sensitive topic of military service. In South Korean society, where many men fulfill their military obligations, the perception of public figures avoiding such duties is poorly received, leading to declining support for exemptions based on fame.
In a related incident, the Mexican military shot down a drone that had been hovering near another South Korean training session ahead of the match against the hosts. This incident further highlighted the pressure on South Korea as they struggled to replicate their earlier attacking prowess demonstrated against Czechia. The implications of their performance are significant, as Mexico’s progression is now assured, and a loss for Korea could lead to early elimination.
All stakeholders—fans, players, and media—are keenly hoping for a victory that would restore confidence, refocus attention on football, and perhaps allow for more culinary adventures in the United States following the tournament.
- World Cup 2026
- World Cup
- Son Heung-min
- South Korea
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