"Are your knees okay?" Park Ji-sung responded directly to a tackle aimed at him: "It seemed like Hyung Song-geun was joking... He apologized with a smile." [Suwon]

*This content was translated by AI.

"Honestly, I think my passion for soccer has already faded. But the promise my teammates made to play together brought me back to the field."

These were the words spoken by Park Ji-sung (45) after once again wearing the captain's armband and running onto the pitch.

Park Ji-sung entered the match in the 38th minute of the second half, replacing Nemanja Vidic, in a showdown between Suwon Samsung Legends and OGFC held at Suwon World Cup Stadium at 7 p.m. on the 19th. Displaying sharp dribbling and crosses from the right flank, Park Ji-sung engaged in fierce battles with his 2002 World Cup teammate Song Jong-kook, creating scenes reminiscent of his playing days.

It is reported that Park Ji-sung prepared for this match even undergoing stem cell treatment despite his knees not being in perfect condition. Although the playing time was not long, Park Ji-sung showcased his signature high-energy play, moving between the flanks and the center for the fans, drawing continuous cheers from the spectators.

Meeting Park Ji-sung in the mixed zone after the match, he said, "It was quite fierce, far from a friendly match." He added, "The opponent prepared strategically well, making it a difficult game, but I felt it was a pleasant time as it provided another kind of fun for the fans."

The most talked-about topic was Park Ji-sung's knee condition. Park Ji-sung calmly replied, "I don't feel any major strain right now, but I think I need to monitor my condition tomorrow. As of now, it's not bad."

Regarding the reason for his decision to return despite severe knee pain after retirement, Park Ji-sung shared his honest feelings. He stated, "Given my physical condition, I think my passion for soccer has already faded. However, Patrice Evra kept persuading me to keep playing together even when the cameras were off." He added, "I decided on surgery and treatment because it was affecting my ability to play with my children. If my recovery had been just a bit faster, I would have been able to show more time, which is a pity."

During the match, there was a moment when Suwon Legends player Lee Byeong-geun (52) attempted a rough tackle on Park Ji-sung, causing fans to sigh in relief. Regarding this, Park Ji-sung said, "From my perspective, I knew there was no intention to hurt me at all. Hyung Song-geun also immediately apologized with a smile. It seemed like the tackle was meant to be playful. There was absolutely no problem." He smiled while saying this.

The fans' enthusiastic support also became a great source of strength for Park Ji-sung. From the moment Park Ji-sung began warming up, the stadium echoed with 'Wisonbpare,' the cheer song from his playing days. Park Ji-sung said, "It was quite special. I felt once again that they still enjoy the cheer songs of my old team and want to see me on the field," expressing his gratitude.

Regarding his teammates he met after a long time, he said, "Since they are players I have played with for a long time, I felt the tension of returning to the old days," while adding a cheerful evaluation: "Seeing Andersson play soccer so well even with that body, I felt he is truly amazing."

Finally, Park Ji-sung offered sincere advice to his juniors preparing for the World Cup, which is approaching in about two months. He said, "Since I am joining the Ma Chi-go (CEO) team for the season, maintaining my condition without injury is the most important thing." He encouraged them, "If individual conditions are not good, the team cannot show good performance. I hope everyone will do their best to manage their individual conditions and prepare for the World Cup."

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*This content was translated by AI.