"It's not alopecia areata," Son Heung-min clarifies directly, "I have no reason to be stressed..."

*This content was translated by AI.

Son Heung-min (34, LAFC), captain of the South Korean national football team, whose potential alopecia areata was spotted on broadcast screens during a match, sparking concern, has directly clarified that "it is not alopecia areata."

On the 26th (Korea time), Son Heung-min posted on his social media (SNS), "Don't worry. I have no reason to be stressed..." and added, "See you at the World Cup," making this statement.

Son Heung-min directly mentioned and explained 'alopecia areata' after traces suspected to be alopecia were captured on broadcast screens during the 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) Round 15 match against Seattle Sounders held at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, USA, the previous day.

Given that this comes at a time just before the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup, and coinciding with a period where he has managed only 0 goals (8 assists) in 13 MLS matches this season, some voices of concern emerged suggesting that Son Heung-min might be under 'extreme' stress.

However, with Son Heung-min directly explaining on SNS that "it's not alopecia areata," the traces of alopecia on Son Heung-min have ended as a minor incident.

Having completed his final schedule with his club team for the North American World Cup after the Seattle match, Son Heung-min will immediately join the Lee Dong-hae (CEO) team at the pre-camp site of the Hong Myung-bo team in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, without rest.

While the starting squad of the World Cup football national team led by coach Hong Myung-bo already departed on the 18th to begin acclimatization to high altitude, Son Heung-min's timing to join the In Hae (CEO) team due to his club schedule is somewhat late.

This World Cup will be Son Heung-min's fourth personal appearance in the World Cup. This record places him tied for first place in South Korean football alongside Hong Myung-bo, the national team coach; Hwang Sun-hong, the Daejeon Hana Citizen coach; and Lee Woon-jae, the Vietnam national team goalkeeper coach.

If he actually participates, Son Heung-min will also become the second player in history to appear in four World Cup tournaments, following coach Hong Myung-bo. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo) is also challenging for the same record as Son Heung-min.

Son Heung-min enters the World Cup with a record of 0 goals and 8 assists in 13 MLS matches this season, and 2 goals and 7 assists in 8 CONCACAF Champions Cup matches, totaling 21 matches with 2 goals and 15 assists.

While the significant drop in his goal tally this season, including 0 goals in MLS, is a concern, there is no possibility that Son Heung-min's role will diminish in this World Cup.

Although his goal-scoring record with his club team has dropped somewhat, Son Heung-min remains a player from whom a decisive 'one-shot' can still be expected in critical moments of national team matches, and he possesses sufficient ability to create opportunities for teammates with sharp passes, just as he does with his club team.

During the press conference announcing the final roster for the World Cup, Hong Myung-bo, the South Korean national football team coach, previously expressed strong trust, stating, "Since his position is slightly lower in his club team, he likely didn't have many scoring opportunities," and adding, "I don't even know what else to ask of Son Heung-min now. He will do well as he has done so far."

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*This content was translated by AI.