‘Another Chance to Fulfil my Dream’: Son Heung-min Eyes Last Dance on FIFA World Cup Stage

South Korea and former Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min said that the upcoming FIFA World Cup edition co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico could be his last one, and he aims to have his side repeat the heroics of the 2002 edition, when they secured a sensational semifinal finish.

When Son made his World Cup debut back in 2014, six players of the current squad were schoolkids. From that 2014 squad, which could not make it past the group stage, only goalkeeper Kim Seunggyu and Son remain.

If Hong Myungbo's men manage to reach the World Cup quarterfinals, Son will get to celebrate his 34th birthday in July with his side still present in the tournament.

After his debut in 2014, Son went on to become a Tottenham Hotspur legend with a 10-year stint from 2015 to 2025 and is among their all-time goal-scorers.

Why did Son Heung-min choose Los Angeles FC ahead of the FIFA World Cup?

Last August, Son left Tottenham to join Los Angeles Football Club in the Major League Soccer (MLS). This move to MLS was done partially to prepare for the World Cup and to raise the passion of football within the Korean community residing in the USA.

Speaking to FIFA, he reminisced about watching the 1998 World Cup, his first-ever, but it was the next edition in Japan and South Korea that he "truly experienced".

He also admitted that preparing for the World Cup was the "biggest reason" for his move to Los Angeles FC.

He was also excited about bringing joy to the Korean community residing there. South Korea is placed in Group A alongside Mexico, South Africa, and the Czech Republic.

They will start against Czech on June 11 at Zapopan and will play their entire group stage in Mexico. They could get a chance to play in LA if they move to the knockout stages.

"I feel extremely excited. I want to have another great World Cup. If we play in LA, then that would be even better,” he said.

“When I transferred, I was excited about bringing joy to the Korean community and the people living there. They make me proud to be Korean and to be a player for Korea," the former Spurs forward said.

"That means a lot to me, and I always want to give back everything that I have. That is why I always do my best and play with a smile," he added.

Son also reminisced how their coach Hong achieved "something incredible" in the 2002 edition by taking his team to the semifinals.

"I want to have a similar journey with my teammates. My biggest dream is to recreate that wonderful journey in the USA," he added.

(With inputs from ANI)