Hong Myung-bo-ho's core MF Hong Myung-bo Team, 'a big boon for South Korea's soccer Korea,' chooses rehabilitation instead of surgery, "Returns in 3 weeks."

*This content was translated by AI.

Baek Seung-ho (29, Birmingham City), a key midfielder of the South Korean national soccer team, expressed his strong will to play in his second World Cup. Despite the chronic shoulder injury, he declared a "head-on breakthrough" by choosing rehabilitation instead of surgery.

According to a recent report by Birmingham Live, a local British media outlet, Baek Seung-ho, who had a recurrence of a shoulder injury, was diagnosed with a specialist and was found to need surgery, but decided to postpone it until after the season. This is because if he gets on the operating table right away, not only the rest of the league games but also the North American World Cup appearance in June will be unclear.

Baek Seung-ho was replaced early, complaining of shoulder pain during the game against West Bromwich Albion on the 11th. He was replaced by Thomas Doyle in the 15th minute of the first half, causing a lot of concern. It is the first recurrence in three months since he suffered a dislocated shoulder against Middlesbrough in November last year. Baek Seung-ho's choice was "rehabilitation," although the season out crisis was mentioned because it was an injury in the same part.

Birmingham City coach Chris Davis told Birmingham Live, "Baek Seung-ho met a specialist. He said he will return to training after about three weeks of rehabilitation programs, adding, "I have expressed my strong intention to help the team instead of surgery."

Birmingham Live viewed Baek Seung-ho's decision as a "sacrifice" considering both his team and the national team. Birmingham City, currently ranked 11th, are two points behind sixth-placed Derby County, a Championship (division 2) playoff spot. If Baek Seung-ho, the team's core power, leaves, there will be a major setback in the promotion competition. Baek Seung-ho has played in 31 games for Birmingham, which has played 32 games this season. They all played except for one game. If you undergo surgery, you will be virtually impossible to return within the season, including the rehabilitation period.

Apart from the situation of his team, there is also motivation given by the big stage of the World Cup. For Baek Seung-ho, the 2026 World Cup is an important stage that can be the peak of his career. The 2022 Qatar World Cup was also played, but at that time it was more of a backup, not a mainstay. But this World Cup is different. Since there are many injuries to central midfielder resources such as Park Yong-woo and Won Doo-jae, we have to expect a key role from Baek Seung-ho. Coach Davis said, "Baek Seung-ho is a very selfless player. I don't want to miss both important games in the domestic league (England) and potential opportunities for the national team."

Of course, the risk remains. Due to the nature of shoulder injuries, there is a high risk of additional recurrence if the game is played without a cure. If the surgery is postponed after the World Cup, he will inevitably miss the beginning of next season, but Baek Seung-ho has thrown a game-changer close to gambling for his immediate "dream."

Fans are paying attention to whether Baek Seung-ho, who began three weeks of intensive rehabilitation, will be able to return as scheduled and catch both rabbits: Birmingham's promotion and the national team's competitiveness in the World Cup finals.

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*This content was translated by AI.