'Is your knee okay?' Park Ji-sung responds directly to the tackle aimed at him: "It seemed like Hyung Byung-geun was joking... He apologized with a smile." [Suwon]

*This content was translated by AI.

"Honestly, I believe 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 of Park Ji-sung (45) after once again wearing the captain's armband and stepping onto the pitch.

On the 19th at 7 p.m., Park Ji-sung entered the field in the 38th minute of the second half, replacing Nemanja Vidić in the match between Suwon Samsung Legends at Suwon World Cup Stadium. 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, evoking scenes from his playing days.

Notably, Park Ji-sung prepared for this match despite his knee not being in perfect condition, reportedly undergoing stem cell therapy. Although the playing time was not long, Park Ji-sung delivered his signature high-energy play, moving between the flanks and the center, drawing continuous cheers from the crowd.

In the mixed zone after the match, Park Ji-sung said, "It was far from a friendly match; it was quite intense." He added, "The opponent prepared strategically, making it a difficult game, but I'm glad we provided another kind of entertainment for the fans, making it a pleasant experience."

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

Regarding his decision to return despite severe knee pain after retirement, Park Ji-sung shared his honest feelings. He said, "Given my physical condition, I believe my passion for soccer has already faded. However, Patrice Evra kept persuading me to keep playing even though the camera was off." He added, "I decided on surgery and treatment because playing with my children was becoming difficult. If my recovery had been slightly faster, I would have been able to show more time on the field, which is a regret."

During the match, there was a moment when Suwon Legends player Lee Byung-geun (52) attempted a rough tackle on Park Ji-sung, causing fans to gasp. Addressing this, Park Ji-sung said, "As the one receiving the tackle, I realized there was no intention to cause harm. Hyung Byung-geun also immediately apologized with a smile. It seemed like the tackle was meant as a joke. There was absolutely no issue." He laughed while speaking.

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 "Wi-Song-Ppa-Re," the cheer song from his playing days. Park Ji-sung said, "It was very special. I once again felt that they still love the cheer songs of my former team and want to see me on the field." He expressed his gratitude.

Regarding his teammates he met after a long time, Park Ji-sung said, "Since we have been playing together for a long time, I felt the same tension as before." He added with a cheerful tone, "Seeing Anderson still play soccer well despite his physical condition made me realize once again how amazing he is."

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

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*This content was translated by AI.