"The time to prepare for goodbyes is approaching." Son Heung-min (34, LAFC), the eternal captain of South Korean soccer, will take the final World Cup stage alongside legends who defined an era such as Lionel Messi (39) and Cristiano Ronaldo (41).
Social media soccer content outlet Madfutbol on the 7th (Korean time) released "the most emotionally overwhelming best 11 we have made so far." This is a list of "absolute legends" who are likely to retire from their national team jerseys or step away from the World Cup stage after the 2026 World Cup.
Son Heung-min did not make the best 11, but he was included among the three nominees, proving his global stature once again. Born in 1992 and 34 years old this year, Son has already hinted that this tournament will be his last World Cup.
Starting in Hamburg, then Bayer Leverkusen, 10 years at Tottenham, and now thriving at LAFC, Son Heung-min has never disappointed fans. His record as a national team player is even more remarkable. Leading in all-time A-match appearances and ranking second in all-time goals, depending on his performance in this World Cup he could realistically surpass legend Cha Bum-kun to become the all-time top scorer.
The tears of Brazil in 2014, the "Kazan miracle" in Russia in 2018, Qatar's "mask fighting spirit" and advancement to the round of 16 in 2022. The people who have shared Son Heung-min's World Cup tragedies and glorious moments are not yet ready to let him go. But Son is determined to light his final flame in this tournament, aiming for an unprecedented result of "at least the quarterfinals."
Madfutbol's chosen attacking line in a 4-3-3 formation is truly a "global defense force" level. Robert Lewandowski (Poland), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) and Lionel Messi (Argentina) were listed side by side.
Ronaldo, now in his 40s, and Messi, 38, who many predicted would have their last tournament in 2022, defied those forecasts by showcasing their unchanged skills and securing tickets to North America. The mere prospect of seeing the final clash between the two greatest rivals in soccer history is enough to make this World Cup valuable.
The midfield is also splendid. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium), Neymar (Brazil) and Luka Modrić (Croatia) were selected. Neymar's inclusion remains to be seen due to injuries and fitness issues, but the last conductings of maestros De Bruyne and Modrić are must-watch points.
The defensive line includes Kyle Walker (England), Antonio Rüdiger (Germany), Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands) and Dani Carvajal (Spain), and guarding the goal was Mexico's "World Cup ghost" Guillermo Ochoa. Madfutbol paid tribute, saying, "They have given us immense joy and magical moments for years" and "football after they leave will not be the same as before."
In the end, spring of 2026 is expected to become "the saddest and most beautiful season" as giants who have made a mark in soccer history continue their farewells. When Son Heung-min, the symbol of South Korean soccer, sheds hot tears once more on the last World Cup stage, the entire nation prays that those tears will be tears of joy rather than sorrow.<
[OSEN]