*This content was translated by AI.
After completing the schedule for the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup, Son Heung-min (34, LAFC) returned to his club and began preparations for the second half of the season.
On the 15th (Korean time), LAFC posted a message on its social media (SNS) saying "Son Heung-min has returned" and shared a video of team training. In the video, Son Heung-min, dressed in a sleeveless training outfit, smiled brightly while training with his teammates.
After an early exit from the tournament, Son Heung-min returned to Korea, spent time resting with his family, and took time to recharge. He then departed for Los Angeles, USA, on the 10th.
His club will resume its league schedule by playing an away regional derby against LA Galaxy on the 18th. The U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS) entered a break period starting in May ahead of the World Cup kickoff and is set to restart this week.
Son Heung-min appeared in 13 regular-season matches in the first half of this season, recording zero goals and nine assists, tying for first place in that category. After completing his club duties, he will participate in the Liga MX All-Star match against Mexico's Liga MX All-Stars on the 29th as an MLS All-Star selected by fan vote. In that match, he is expected to play alongside Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Thomas Müller (Vancouver Whitecaps), and others.
Meanwhile, Son Heung-min, who has appeared in four consecutive World Cups as captain of the South Korean national team, played in all three group stage matches (two starts and one substitute appearance) but remained scoreless. Having scored a total of three goals in the 2014 Brazil tournament (one goal) and the 2018 Russia tournament (two goals), Son Heung-min's chance to become the sole leader in World Cup goals by a Korean player (currently tied with Park Ji-sung and Ahn Jung-hwan at one each) was dashed due to his scoreless performance in this tournament.
The South Korean national team, led by former coach Hong Myung-bo, also suffered consecutive losses to Mexico and South Africa after defeating Czech Republic in the group stage opener. Ultimately finishing third in Group A with three points (one win, two losses), they failed to advance to the Round of 32. The North American World Cup will conclude with the final match on the 20th.
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*This content was translated by AI.
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