As concerns about "hair loss" spread online following a recent game broadcast, Korea men's national soccer team captain Son Heung-min personally moved to calm the situation.
On the 26th, Son Heung-min posted a photo on his Instagram story with the message, "It's not alopecia areata. Don't worry." He added, "I have nothing to be stressed about. See you at the World Cup."
On the broadcast of the match against the Seattle Sounders in Major League Soccer (MLS) on the 25th, a scene captured the back of Son Heung-min's head looking sparse in one area. Since then, reactions online have expressed concern about his alopecia areata.
This season, in the first half of league play, Son Heung-min has recorded nine assists in 13 matches without a goal. In the Seattle match, his final club game before the World Cup, he attempted seven shots but failed to score.
After wrapping up his club schedule with the Seattle match, Son Heung-min traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah, where the national team's preliminary camp led by head coach Hong Myung-bo has been set up, and joined training.
Son Heung-min has scored three goals in World Cup finals play, tying Ahn Jung-hwan and Park Ji-sung for the most by a Korean player. If he adds one goal at this tournament, he will become the sole leader for most World Cup finals goals by a Korean player.