*This content was translated by AI.View Original
Son Heung-min (LAFC), the captain of the South Korean national football team, along with Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Hwang In-beom (FC Porto), and Hwang Hee-chan (Schalke 04), spoke out together regarding rumors of conflict surrounding the national team. Additionally, at the training camp in Doha, Qatar, they were also captured smiling broadly together.
The five players released a joint statement titled "A Message to Fans Who Love Korean Football" through the Korea Football Association on the 12th (Korean time).
They stated, "We have played together for Korean football for a long time, and we are teammates who will continue to move forward toward the same goal in the future."
Behind the joint statement from the five players lies the "92·96LINE conflict theory" that emerged after the 2026 North-Central America World Cup. Stories circulated that Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung, born in 1992, and Kim Min-jae, Hwang In-beom, and Hwang Hee-chan, born in 1996, clashed over the operation of the national team.
In particular, after the match against Uzbekistan last October, controversy intensified as the possibility of retirement from the national team for Kim Min-jae, Hwang In-beom, and Hwang Hee-chan was raised.
Interim manager Roberto Moreno called up all five players ahead of the November A-matches. The players who gathered in Doha, Qatar, said they spent a long time talking even immediately after their long-haul flights, sharing their respective feelings about the national team's preparation process and operations.
It was explained that there remained regret over having disappointed fans at the previous World Cup, and they deliberated together on what needed to change to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
The players denied interpretations that such discussions stemmed from personal conflicts. They stated that their opinions were offered out of a belief that the national team needs to improve.
Regarding suspicions surrounding retirement, they drew a clear line, stating, "It is completely untrue that we tried to push through specific demands under the condition of retirement."
At the Doha training ground as well, the players showed bright expressions. The national team held its first training session at the Qatar University training ground in Doha on the 10th (local time), with all 26 called-up players present. "92LINE" Son Heung-min and "96LINE" Hwang Hee-chan walked side by side on the pitch, engaging in conversation.
Lee Jae-sung, also born in 1992 like Son Heung-min, joined the squad with a smile. Hwang In-beom was seen actively participating in ball-winning drills and mini-games. Key defender Kim Min-jae also had a conversation with Manager Moreno at the training ground.
In particular, the sight of Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan smiling broadly caught the eye. Hwang Hee-chan pointed to one side while laughing, and Son Heung-min standing next to him smiled so brightly that wrinkles formed around his eyes.
The national team led by Manager Moreno will face Saudi Arabia at 11:30 p.m. on the 13th at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Qatar. Following this, they will play their final A-match of the year against Qatar at 11:00 p.m. on the 17th.
The five players also explained in their statement why they had not individually responded to related reports until now. They stated that they had few opportunities to meet face-to-face as they were playing for their respective clubs, and judged that stating their positions separately before fully hearing each other's thoughts could lead to further misunderstandings. They also expressed concern that the discussion, which began for the benefit of the national team, might be perceived as conflict among players, obscuring its original intent.
The players conveyed, "Above all, we did not want the discussion, which started from a desire for the national team to improve, to expand into unverified rumors and be perceived as conflict among players, thereby obscuring its original purpose."
Apologizing for causing worry to fans, they pledged to communicate more closely with the association while preparing for the next Asian Cup and to serve as a good example for their juniors.
The players conveyed, "We are well aware that what you, the public, expect is not our explanations, but sincerity and good performance shown on the field." They further promised to give their best with one heart in this friendly match as well, repaying fans' encouragement and support with performance and attitude befitting the history and status of Korean football.
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*This content was translated by AI.View Original
