'Already the fourth World Cup,' Kim Seung-gyu speaks sincerely: "I was even wondering if I could play soccer again... I will give the best gift to my daughter and wife" [Q&A from the Guadalajara site]

*This content was translated by AI.

After breaking through the darkest tunnel of the most terrifying injury in his career, Kim Seung-gyu (36, FC Tokyo) finally stood tall on the fourth World Cup stage. From the distant battlefield of Mexico, he revealed his firm resolve to fight for his newborn daughter and his steadfast wife.

The South Korean national football team held an official training session on the morning of the 7th (local time) at Chivas Valle Verde, the base camp training ground in Guadalajara, Mexico. Under coach Hong Myung-bo, the team arrived in Guadalajara on the 5th and participated in a FIFA-organized community training session on the 6th. Today's training was open to the media for only the first 15 minutes, as is customary during A-match periods, before switching to a closed session to focus intensively on tactical refinement.

Before the training, Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo), the team's key goalkeeper, shared his unique feelings. The veteran goalkeeper, who has appeared in 87 A-match games and conceded 63 goals, faced the biggest crisis of his career when he was forced to withdraw midway due to a cruciate ligament injury during the 2024 Asian Cup. However, after a long rehabilitation, he has made a complete comeback and once again stands as a central figure in the national team.

Kim Seung-gyu said, "I had a major injury before the World Cup. Just a year ago, I couldn't even imagine making it to the World Cup. It was a time when I deeply pondered whether I could play soccer again." He continued, "Since this is an opportunity like a gift after enduring difficult times, I want to finish this tournament with better results than in the previous three World Cups," showing his firm determination.

Kim Seung-gyu made his World Cup debut during the 2014 Brazil World Cup under coach Hong Myung-bo, playing in the Group Stage match against Belgium on the third day. Now nearing the twilight of his career, Kim Seung-gyu has joined hands with coach Hong Myung-bo again on what could be his fourth and final World Cup stage.

This tournament is even more meaningful for Kim Seung-gyu. Recently, his wife, model Kim Jin-kyung, shared the happy news on her personal social networking service (SNS) that she had given birth to a beautiful daughter. Kim Seung-gyu said, "I heard the news of my daughter's birth while away from home, and I couldn't be by her side. I feel so sorry to my wife and daughter." He added, "I will definitely achieve good results and return, so that this North American World Cup can become the best gift for our daughter and wife," conveying his passionate pledge.

- What is the situation regarding the condition and competition between you and the other two goalkeepers, including Cho Hyun-woo?

"Hyun-woo and Beom-geun are both in excellent condition ahead of the World Cup. Since the last call-up, we have been in a continuous state of good competition, which has created a positive relationship where we can help each other develop further. Right now, all three of us are in top physical condition, so no matter who among us plays in the match, we can all contribute solidly to the team."

- Guadalajara is at high altitude. There has been talk about handling aerial balls and ball speed. How does it feel in reality?

"At first, I didn't feel it much. But when I actually started shooting practice on the pitch, I realized it was definitely different. Even at the timing when I thought I could stop it, the ball was flying in so fast that it seemed to be sucked into the goal. There isn't much time left until the first match, but I think the most important thing is to focus on every training session and quickly bring up my sense of touch."

- The Czech national team is a group of tall players with an average height of 187cm.

"Czech definitely attempts many crosses and has many tall players positioned in the front. Against such a team, a goalkeeper cannot simply stand under the goalposts and just guard the goal. I believe my role is to fight actively from behind, whether by boldly coming out of the box to handle aerial balls decisively or by actively selecting positions to help defenders in duels."

- One of your strengths is saving penalty kicks. If there is a secret, what is it?

"I have always had confidence in penalty kicks." My confidence has grown further as I frequently face and save penalty situations in my league. However, nowadays, kickers have changed their shooting styles significantly from before. Many players watch the goalkeeper's movements until the very end before shooting, so we need to study even more thoroughly. Ultimately, the best way to stop them is through a psychological battle that steals their timing. If there is anything I am slightly better at than other players, I think it is not skill but the experience I have accumulated from playing in three World Cups."

- The first match against Czech will be crucial for the entire tournament.

"I am looking forward to it a lot. Even though this is my fourth World Cup, strangely, I feel as excited and nervous as if I were playing in my first World Cup. How we play the first match will determine the overall team atmosphere for this tournament, making it more important than any other game. I think there have been times when players felt a lot of pressure due to the burden and couldn't show their full potential. This time, I will stand firmly behind them so that my teammates can play without feeling overly nervous and can display their true abilities."

- You will communicate a lot with the goalkeeper coaching staff, but did coach Hong Myung-bo give any special instructions to the goalkeeper line?

"The coach conveys many detailed messages through the goalkeeper coach. The core of what the coach requires is that while building up attacks is important, the goalkeeper must lead well so that defenders can take their positions more quickly. The goalkeeper is the position with the widest field of vision on the pitch. The coach emphasizes the role of constantly communicating and coordinating from behind on how teammates should respond in defensive situations."

- Son Heung-min congratulated Kim Seung-gyu on his fourth World Cup appearance through a broadcast interview.

"No one knows if this World Cup will be Son Heung-min's last one (laughs). Heung-min has been a grateful teammate who has always been a huge source of strength for me as we have played in the World Cup together for a long time. Now, as captain, he has shouldered a heavier responsibility and burden than anyone else for this World Cup. I will work hard to stand firmly behind him and help lighten his burden and be a source of strength. I want to make this tournament the most memorable and best World Cup in our football lives."

- What about the security around the base camp, the local training environment, and the grass condition?

"Security is thorough, so it is safe. In fact, we don't go out much outside the hotel, so security seems fine. The Korea Football Association has paid so much attention to supporting the team that there is no inconvenience at all in hotel life. The grass condition is quite similar to the grass style in the Japanese league where I play. The grass is cut short, so the ball rolls quite fast. Since it is a familiar grass style, there is no major difficulty in adapting."

- Captain Son Heung-min said this might not be his last, but are you looking forward to a fifth World Cup?

"No one knows how the future will turn out, but I approach each time with the resolve that this is my real last World Cup. My mindset is not much different from previous World Cups. I will approach every moment as if it were the last, with great urgency."

- Your recently born beautiful daughter, who does she resemble more?

"I sincerely prayed that she would not resemble only me. I think it is truly fortunate that her face seems to be a perfect mix of half my face and half my wife's face."

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*This content was translated by AI.