"Son Heung-min is called 'Number 7' or 'That Person'... He doesn't even have a name" — Shocking exposé of "worst factional conflict in history" within the South Korean national team

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

A shocking internal factional situation has been exposed, revealing that captain Son Heung-min (34, LAFC) is referred to as "Number 7" or "That Person" instead of his name within the South Korean national football team. The issue of leadership conflict and team cohesion breakdown, which had previously remained submerged beneath the surface amid controversies such as retirement threats by key players born in 1996 and late-night interviews, has been officially raised at the National Assembly level, with the impact spreading rapidly.

At the National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee's national audit held on the 21st, People Power Party lawmaker Jung Yeon-wook focused his questioning on the collapse of leadership within the football team and conflicts with key players from the "96 LINE."

Upon beginning his questioning, Jeong (Rep.) addressed Acting Director Han Chuk-gu-hyeop (Chairman), stating, "I would like to discuss the leadership issue of the national football team, which commands the highest public interest," and asked, "Do you know that recently, among national team players, people are not called by their names but referred to as 'Number 7'?"

When Acting Director Lee asked in return, "Are you referring to player Son Heung-min?", Jeong (Rep.) pointed out, "It appears to be true that within the squad, he has no name at all and is simply called 'Number 7' or 'That Person.'"

Continuing, Jeong (Rep.) stated, "I have several questions as to whether this is a simple nickname or if team cohesion within the squad has become so uncomfortable that even mentioning his name directly feels awkward," and criticized, "I do not intend to take sides with or disparage any specific individual, but the fact that recent results in four A-matches were poor with two wins, one draw, and one loss, and that the national team's leadership is causing discord and collapsing comprehensively, is the problem."

Furthermore, Jeong (Rep.) delved into the retirement rumors of core members born in 1996 and the details of late-night interviews that arose immediately after the friendly match against Uzbekistan (2-0 win) on October 6.

At the time, Hwang In-beom shed tears after the match ended before heading to the locker room, but then returned to the ground with Kim Min-jae and Hwang Hee-chan to take a commemorative photo of just the three of them, causing a stir. In his mixed zone interview, he expressed feelings of powerlessness and complex emotions, stating, "I think this match could be my last." Immediately after, rumors emerged that the three players would retire together. As the situation escalated, it is known that Jeon Ryeok-gang-hwa (Chairman) Hyun Young-min conducted lengthy interviews past midnight, including with Hwang Hee-chan.

When Jeong (Rep.) asked, "Did Hyeon (Chairman) report this directly to Acting Director Lee?", Acting Director Lee acknowledged, "I received a report." When pressed for specific details, he answered, "Because it is an internal issue of the national team, I received a brief report. Following the principle that 'what happens in the locker room stays in the locker room,' Hyeon (Chairman) and the manager agreed to continue discussions within the national team." When Jeong (Rep.) reconfirmed, "You cannot disclose this externally, but is it true that there were many complaints about difficulties and problems during the operation of the Seon Su-deul-i (CEO) team?", Acting Director Lee admitted, "Yes, that is correct."

Pointers regarding the chronic conflict structure within the squad also continued. Jeong (Rep.) noted, "Internal issues have been repeatedly occurring, such as the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the 2023 Son Heung-min and Kim Min-jae SNS blocking controversy, and the 2024 Asian Cup clash between Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in," and added, "It is known that during the recent refusal of interviews for the North-Central America World Cup qualifiers, a struggle ensued with arguments like 'Why are you blocking the interview?' and 'Why must we follow orders?'"

Then, Jeong (Rep.) directly asked, "Is it not simply an issue of whether to give an interview, but rather that complaints from players in the so-called '96 LINE' regarding the captaincy system led by Son Heung-min, which has continued for nine years, have accumulated?" To this, Acting Director Lee said, "I am sorry, but I find it difficult to answer that part," and was careful with his words.

As the controversy over how captain Son Heung-min is addressed and the repeated expressions of dissatisfaction by key veteran players in the "96 LINE" have been revealed on an official platform, the structural factionalism and leadership collapse within the national team, which the football association has been eager to cover up, are expected to cause a fierce ripple effect in the future.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original