In 2018, turned an unlikely hero for followers. Now, he is able to change into a villain.
Son’s 96th-minute purpose was one in every of two stoppage-time tallies for that rescued Mexico from group-stage elimination on the 2018 World Cup. Celebrations in Mexico noticed representatives at Korean embassies and firms swept up by celebrating followers.
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When Son visited Southern California with earlier membership simply weeks after the World Cup in Russia, he stunned followers at an occasion and was gifted a sombrero by a fan in a Mexico jersey as followers chanted “Coreano, hermano, ya eres mexicano” — Korean, brother, you’re now Mexican.
It could change into foreshadowing, as Son joined LAFC in 2025, . However these good vibes at the moment are shaky, with Korea going through Mexico in a rematch of the 2018 World Cup assembly that , with a late Son strike not sufficient to beat targets from and Javier “” Hernandez.
“I like Mexican followers, and I like Mexican gamers. I clearly performed the 2018 World Cup in opposition to them. Final 12 months, we performed a pleasant recreation in opposition to Mexico in Nashville. I feel now we have a terrific relationship with one another, are each actually, actually respectful,” Son instructed USA TODAY Sports activities. “When now we have a house recreation at BMO Stadium, there’s plenty of Mexican followers cheering us and cheering me particularly, I’m actually grateful for that.
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“Clearly, once you play in opposition to one another, they in all probability will hate me once more! However I completely perceive that. That’s why we love soccer.”
The love affair with Son has continued in practically all corners of LA — a minimum of within the neighborhoods that don’t assist the . Followers of Mexico, the U.S., Korea and different nationwide groups have united to cheer on Son as he helped LAFC to the Western Convention semifinals and the semifinals of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Son has, maybe, been in a position to see extra of the Mexican-American and Mexican tradition in LA much more than he has seen the Korean and Korean-American tradition within the metropolis.
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12 unimaginable soccer stars you might want to observe within the World Cup
With World Cup qualifying now full, nationwide groups across the globe are turning their consideration towards soccer’s greatest event.
These are 12 unimaginable gamers to look at as they signify their nations on the World Cup stage.
Above, Sweden’s Alexander Isak performs for his nationwide workforce. The ahead is about to be one of many key figures for Sweden on the World Cup as he continues his position main the assault for membership and nation.
(Jonas Ekstromer, REUTERS)
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12 unimaginable soccer stars you might want to observe within the World Cup
With World Cup qualifying now full, nationwide groups across the globe are turning their consideration towards soccer’s greatest event.
These are 12 unimaginable gamers to look at as they signify their nations on the World Cup stage.
Above, Sweden’s Alexander Isak performs for his nationwide workforce. The ahead is about to be one of many key figures for Sweden on the World Cup as he continues his position main the assault for membership and nation.
(Jonas Ekstromer, REUTERS)
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12 unimaginable soccer stars you might want to observe within the World Cup
Sweden’s ahead Viktor Gyokeres, proper.
(Jose Jordan, Getty Photographs)
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12 unimaginable soccer stars you might want to observe within the World Cup
Arda Guler of Turkey, proper.
(Burak Basturk, Center East Photographs/AFP through Getty Photographs)
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12 unimaginable soccer stars you might want to observe within the World Cup
Hakan Calhanoglu of Turkey
(Burak Basturk, Center East Photographs/AFP through Getty Photographs)
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12 unimaginable soccer stars you might want to observe within the World Cup
Turkey’s ahead Kenan Yildiz
(Armend Nimani, AFP through Getty Photographs)
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12 unimaginable soccer stars you might want to observe within the World Cup
Patrik Schick of Czechia, high.
(NurPhoto, Getty Photographs)
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12 unimaginable soccer stars you might want to observe within the World Cup
Czechia’s midfielder Tomas Soucek.
(Michal Cizek, Getty Photographs)
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12 unimaginable soccer stars you might want to observe within the World Cup
Bosnia-Herzegovina’s ahead Edin Dzeko, left.
(Elvis Barukcic, Getty Photographs)
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12 unimaginable soccer stars you might want to observe within the World Cup
Ermedin Demirovic of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
(Getty Photographs)
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12 unimaginable soccer stars you might want to observe within the World Cup
Iraq’s ahead Ayman Hussein, left.
(Karim Jaafar, Getty Photographs)
A reported that greater than 300,000 folks of Korean heritage lived within the LA metro space in 2019, greater than anyplace else within the U.S. Lots of them reside within the Koreatown neighborhood, which sits round 5 miles north of LAFC’s BMO Stadium. However due to his standing as probably the most well-known Koreans on the planet, the captain of the Korea nationwide workforce says he hasn’t visited because the shock occasion again in 2018.
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“Sadly, I’ve by no means been to Ok-City simply because I didn’t wish to convey chaos. I’m simply defending myself and defending the Ok-City a bit of bit, however I like (experiencing) new cultures,” Son stated. “I used to be within the UK, in Germany and now within the U.S. which has a distinct tradition that I like to study. I’m having fun with each single second, I like the superb climate. Each single second makes me so joyful.”
The situations gained’t be as agreeable through the World Cup. Not solely will Korea tackle a Mexico workforce with an enormous home-field benefit because of the group on the Estadio Akron rooting on El Tri, it additionally will achieve this at practically a mile of elevation, with Guadalajara sitting 5,138 toes above sea stage.
“Mexico goes to be a bit of bit totally different due to the altitude, a tough problem, a brand new problem, however we’re right here to win it. It’s going to be robust, however we’ll attempt to do our greatest,” Son stated.
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MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey (internet hosting World Cup remaining)
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MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey (internet hosting World Cup remaining)
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Lincoln Monetary Discipline – Philadelphia
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Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, Massachusetts
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Son bought a style of the ambiance and altitude of Mexican stadiums on this 12 months’s Concacaf Champions Cup, as LAFC bought previous Liga MX finalist Cruz Azul within the quarterfinals behind a 3-0 house win (Son scored the opener) within the first leg and a 1-1 attract Puebla that noticed goalkeeper make eight saves.
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The semifinals introduced an much more difficult matchup, with the Black and Gold heading to Toluca, ’s highest metropolis which sits at greater than 8,700 toes of elevation. After a 2-1 win at house within the first leg, Son struggled to get into the sport, and Toluca rolled to a 4-0 win that put the Mexican membership within the remaining with a 5-2 combination win.
Son hopes the expertise can function a studying alternative for him, one he’ll look to go on to Korea teammates as they put together for his or her Mexico journey with a high-altitude camp in Utah, the place they’ll play two pleasant matches in Provo earlier than transferring to their base camp in Guadalajara.
“It’s going to be actually tough. Mexico has superb followers, superb gamers, however the altitude additionally in all probability helps them. I’ve been in Mexico twice, performed within the totally different altitudes,” he stated. “Each instances it was not simple as a result of we simply went there the day earlier than and needed to play. There was no time (for) adaptation. This time, we’re going to Salt Lake and attempt to adapt to the altitude. You play in opposition to Mexico in regular situations, it’s additionally onerous, however with that altitude it’s going to be more difficult.”
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A well-adapted workforce efficiency in opposition to Mexico — and even good ends in Korea’s opener in opposition to the Czech Republic and finale in opposition to — would imply the workforce was in a position to rise to the problem and set itself up for fulfillment with its preparations.
Son hopes to proceed inspiring not solely younger Korean gamers however gamers of all backgrounds, partnering with Hyundai, whose “Subsequent Begins Now” marketing campaign consists of youth camps in 4 World Cup host cities — together with LA — encouraging kids to maintain chasing their soccer goals.
“I’m actually grateful me and Hyundai had been on the identical web page,” Son stated. “I at all times wish to attempt to assist the brand new, younger technology, get it entering into a superb course. I hope we will work collectively and produce the subsequent technology success.”
That’s true it doesn’t matter what nationwide workforce these children might go on to signify. This summer season, although, Son will hope to return to LA to a hero’s welcome from the Korea followers in Southern California and perhaps a number of boos from these followers who assist El Tri.