South Korea captain Son Heung-min apologized via Instagram after the national team crashed out in the group stage. The team won their first match against Czechia but lost subsequent games to Mexico and South Africa. These results left South Korea unable to advance as one of the third-place finishers in Group A.

Fan anger has been intense, with supporters shouting at players upon their return. The failure triggered harsh criticism from the country's president and forced the resignation of coach Hong Myung-bo. Son admitted he felt personal responsibility for the exit, especially since he failed to score a single goal during the tournament.

Now playing for LAFC after a record $26 million transfer in 2025, the 33-year-old star expressed that his dream stage had collapsed. Despite the pain, he confirmed he will not retire from international football. He asked fans to offer encouragement to his teammates instead of focusing on criticism.

Son's struggle mirrors the team's overall inconsistency throughout the competition. He started on the bench for the final match against South Africa, a sign of the tactical struggles that led to their early exit. This failure marks a low point for the nation's most prominent footballing icon.