Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham) stated that the mindset at Tottenham Hotspur and the South Korean national team cannot help but be different.

The South Korean national football team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, will face Oman in the 7th match of Group B of the final Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at 8 p.m. on the 20th at Goyang Comprehensive Stadium. They will then play the 8th match against Jordan at 8 p.m. on the 25th at Suwon Comprehensive Stadium.

Currently, the South Korean national team is maintaining the top position in Group B with 14 points (4 wins, 2 draws). Iraq (11 points), Jordan (9 points), Oman (6 points), Kuwait (4 points), and Palestine (3 points) follow behind. The top two teams in each group secure direct qualification for the finals.

If South Korea wins both matches this March and adds 6 points, they will ensure qualification for the World Cup finals for the 11th consecutive time, regardless of the results of the upcoming matches against Iraq and Kuwait in June.

Meanwhile, on the eve of the match, at 5:30 p.m. on the 19th, coach Hong Myung-bo (56) and captain Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham) held an official press conference at Goyang Comprehensive Stadium to discuss their preparation and mindset for the match.

During the press conference, questions related to Son Heung-min's club Tottenham were raised.

Since joining Tottenham in 2015, he has been a key player for the team. This season, Tottenham has plummeted to 14th place in the league, experiencing its worst slump. They were also eliminated early from both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, failing to meet fans' expectations.

Amid such struggles, there have been questions raised about Son Heung-min's leadership in the UK, with some evaluations suggesting his performance is on the decline. Moreover, should coach Ange Postecoglou be dismissed, there have been somewhat absurd claims that Son Heung-min would carry significant responsibility.

Even some local fans are now criticizing Son Heung-min. 'Tottenham News' reported that following the 0-2 defeat against Fulham, "Son Heung-min's popularity is declining, and fans want his contract to be terminated." Some fans strongly criticized him, stating, "He needs to prove himself on the pitch" and "He shows the same reaction every time there is a loss."

In this context, former Tottenham player Jermain Defoe recently indicated in an interview with 'ESPN' that during his time, Aaron Lennon was superior to Son Heung-min when comparing the current squad.

Son Heung-min has established himself as a legend of the team, having played 448 matches for Tottenham and scored 173 goals with 95 assists. Since joining in the 2015-2016 season, he has recorded double-digit goals for nine consecutive seasons, and in the 2021-2022 season, he scored 23 goals without penalty kicks, winning the Premier League Golden Boot and becoming the first Asian player to achieve the feat. Furthermore, as the captain of Tottenham, he demonstrates not just performance but also leadership.

In contrast, Lennon recorded 30 goals and 76 assists over 364 matches for Tottenham. While he was praised for his quick feet and lateral runs, he is difficult to compare with Son Heung-min in scoring ability and attacking contributions. Of course, he does surpass Son Heung-min in terms of trophy achievements. The only title Lennon won was the Football League Cup in the 2007-2008 season.

Son Heung-min is regarded as a player who will leave a mark in Premier League history. Even in the 2023-2024 season, he consistently contributes goals and assists while playing a central role in the team and leading as captain. Considering these points, Defoe's choice excluding Son Heung-min appears to stem from personal preference rather than objective standards.

When asked about questions related to Tottenham, Son Heung-min cautiously began, "The club and the national team are two different places."

He expressed, "I have great affection for Tottenham, and I have been running toward the same goal for the past 10 years. However, the national team holds a different meaning. It is truly a dreamlike place for me."

He also emphasized, "I maintain a consistent mindset every time I am called up to the national team. I always have a sense of responsibility to perform well."

Son Heung-min explained the emotional differences he feels between his club and the national team, stating, "I am the same player, but what I feel in the two environments is a bit different."

He explained, "Playing in the Premier League was a childhood dream, but representing my country holds even greater significance. It is not just a simple dream, but an imagination that is larger than the dream."

He added, "The national team has always been a precious place for me. I will focus on doing my best to show a great performance in this match as well."

Meanwhile, Son Heung-min said, "I am going through very difficult and challenging times at my club, so whenever I see football fans in Korea, I receive a lot of energy. Many fans will come to the stadium and support us, and we cannot let them down. I will communicate well with the players, and although it will be cold for the fans, I hope we prepare well to show a good result and entertaining football."

[OSEN]