What is Japan? Evaluating Yang Hyun-jun's 'character controversy'... Forcing a point over Mexican player's 'refusal of help' with "rude" → Did he not know his chest was hit by a foot?

*This content was translated by AI.

Japanese media showed great interest in Yang Hyun-jun (24, Celtic FC), claiming his actions during the match against Mexico were 'rude'.

Japanese outlet 'The Answer' reported on the 20th (Korea time) that "a Korean player refused an opponent's kindness and displayed rude behavior, causing a stir among overseas soccer fans." The article immediately ranked high on the "most viewed news" list on Japanese portal site 'Yahoo Japan' upon release, drawing intense local attention.

Previously, the South Korean national soccer team lost 0-1 to Mexico in the second group stage match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Group A, held on the 19th at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico.

Having defeated Czech Republic in the first match, South Korea maintained second place in the group with one win and one loss (3 points) following today's defeat. Whether they advance to the round of 32 will be decided in the final group stage match.

The controversial scene mentioned by the Japanese media occurred in the 28th minute of the second half. Yang Hyun-jun and Jesus Gallardo fell together after a fierce battle for the ball. Gallardo immediately got up, clutched his chest, and approached Yang Hyun-jun, who was lying on the ground, extending a hand. However, Yang Hyun-jun, after checking the opponent's face while attempting to take the hand, rejected it and got up on his own. Javier Aguirre, Mexico's head coach, who witnessed this, showed an irritated reaction, saying, "Get up quickly."

However, Yang Hyun-jun was in pain after his chest was hit by Gallardo's foot during the fall, and his rejection of the opponent's hand was a protest against the intentional foul.

The media noted that the scene spread globally and also reported on social media (SNS) reactions. According to the media, netizens showed critical responses such as "extremely rude," "What kind of behavior is that?", "Attitude that only works when you're winning," and "No sportsmanship."

Meanwhile, Yang Hyun-jun is a winger under coach Hong Myung-bo, known for his aggressive breakthroughs and dazzling dribbling as his greatest strengths. While playing for Gangwon FC in K League 1, he emerged as a standout player in 2022 by winning the Young Player Award, and in 2023, he transferred to Celtic FC, a prestigious club in the Scottish Premier League. Since then, he has shown steady growth, making the final roster for the 2026 North American World Cup and stepping onto the world stage for the first time in his career during the match against Mexico.

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*This content was translated by AI.