Japan also laments, "Son Heung-min was the greatest in Asian history..." Selected for North America World Cup 'Worst 11'... Includes Ronaldo and Kubo

*This content was translated by AI.

South Korea national team ace Son Heung-min (LAFC) received a bitter evaluation as being included in the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup 'Worst 11'.

Japanese football specialist media Football Channel selected 11 players who showed below-expectation performances at the North America World Cup on the 21st (Korean time). The formation was 4-3-3, and Han Guk-eul (CEO) star Son Heung-min was also named. His position was left winger.

The media questioned, "Could it be that Son Heung-min no longer possessed his prime skills at the North America World Cup?"

It then stated, "Son Heung-min played for a long time at England's Tottenham and became the first Asian player to win the English Premier League (EPL) top scorer title. There is no doubt he is the greatest player in Asian football history. He has also proven his abilities multiple times for the South Korean national team."

Football Channel also highlighted Son Heung-min's memorable moments from past World Cups. It highly praised Son Heung-min's late goal after a long run during the group stage match against Germany at the 2018 Russia World Cup and the scene where he provided an assist for Hwang Hee-chan's equalizing winner in the final group stage match against Portugal at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

The media explained, "Son Heung-min often delivered impressive performances on the World Cup stage. This North America World Cup, which he participated in at age 34, was very likely his last major tournament considering his age. Great expectations were focused on the Korean hero's final World Cup stage."

However, neither South Korea nor Son Heung-min met those expectations. The South Korean national team, led by former coach Hong Myung-bo, recorded one win and two losses in the group stage of this tournament and was eliminated in third place in Group A. Son Heung-min also participated in all three group stage matches but finished the tournament with zero goals and zero assists.

Football Channel evaluated, "Could the expectations for Son Heung-min have acted as a burden instead?" and added, "Son Heung-min continued to play in a manner uncharacteristic of himself."

It further pointed out, "In the first group stage match against Czechia, he attempted six shots but failed to score. He broke through the defensive space behind to create a decisive opportunity but could not capitalize on it, leaving an impression that he was overly eager."

It also noted, "Although he came on as a substitute in the match against South Africa, there were few scenes of him playing near the goal. In the past, he would break through frustrating situations with his individual ability, but at this tournament, such overwhelming presence disappeared."

The final evaluation regarding Son Heung-min was even more painful. Football Channel added, "Son Heung-min's finishing ability during his prime was undoubtedly at the world's highest level. Therefore, the poor performance he showed in this tournament was enough to foreshadow the end of an era."

Football Channel did not criticize only 'rival' South Korea's Son Heung-min. It also included Japan's top star Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad) in the Worst 11.

The media stated, "Kubo joined this North America World Cup as a central player for the Japanese national team. There was high expectation that he would deliver performances covering two tournaments' worth of activity, adding to what he did not show at the previous Qatar tournament," but it also criticized, "He failed to demonstrate his unique ability to create opportunities until halftime in the first group stage match against the Netherlands."

Kubo suffered an unexpected knee injury during the Netherlands match. As a result, he could not participate in the remaining two group stage matches. Although Japan advanced from the group stage and there were discussions about his possible return for the Round of 32 match against Brazil, he ultimately did not return to the field.

Football Channel reported, "Kubo, who was once noted as a genius boy from the La Masia youth academy of Barcelona in Spain, will be 29 years old at the next World Cup. At present, we cannot help but evaluate Kubo as 'a player with no connection to the World Cup'."

Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr/Portugal) also joined Son Heung-min and Kubo in the Worst 11 attacking lineup. Although Ronaldo scored three goals in five matches at this tournament, he was evaluated as not showing the same influence as during his prime. Football Channel expressed that "Ronaldo's biggest dream was shattered once again" while reporting Portugal's elimination from the Round of 16.

The midfielders selected were Federico Valverde (Real Madrid/Uruguay), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich/Germany), and Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/Portugal).

The defenders included Danilo (Flamengo/Brazil), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal/Senegal), Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City/Croatia), and Lucas Digne (Aston Villa/France). The goalkeeper position was taken by Fernando Muslera (Estudiantes/Uruguay).

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*This content was translated by AI.