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In an exclusive chat with GOAL, South Korea’s captain Son Heung-Min expressed confidence that his recent struggles in front of goal for LAFC will not affect his form when the World Cup arrives.

Son Heung-Min still views the World Cup with the wonder of a child. He vividly remembers the excitement of his first call-up, the build-up to the tournament, and the thrill of scoring his first World Cup goal against Algeria. He was 21 at the time – a young star seen as the future of Korean football. Twelve years and nearly 150 goals later, that same spark remains. As he prepares for his fourth World Cup, little has changed in his mindset.

“It doesn’t matter how many World Cups you’ve played in; it always feels like a child’s dream. Even as an adult, when I think about the World Cup, I feel like a kid again,” Son told GOAL as part of Hyundai’s ‘Next Starts Now’ campaign.

This time, however, the build-up is slightly different. The anticipation is there, the energy is the same, but the goals have dried up. After scoring 12 goals in his first 13 matches for LAFC at the end of 2025, Son is now struggling to find the net. He remains goalless in MLS this season, although he has provided 16 assists across all competitions. Still, the trademark finishing touch that defines him has been missing.

While some fans might be worried, Son remains unbothered. “I’m feeling good, I’m feeling great. Of course, I’ve missed some goals, but maybe they’re all coming in the World Cup,” he said with a smile.

Reflecting on his journey with the national team, Son acknowledges his unique position. Few players carry the weight of being the undisputed face of their national side. While several South Korean footballers now play for top European clubs, Son’s stature – both in quality and symbolism – is unmatched. At 33, he stands as a national icon, carrying the hopes of a football-loving nation aiming to surpass its past achievements.

In 2002, as a ten-year-old, Son watched from home as South Korea reached the semifinals on home soil, famously beating Spain before losing to Germany. That team inspired his generation. By 2014, Son was part of the squad himself, already a rising talent in the Bundesliga with Hamburg. Though Korea managed only one point in the group stage, Son’s goal against Algeria hinted at what was to come.

“My first World Cup was very different from now. I wasn’t the captain then; now there’s a whole new generation,” he said.

Between those two tournaments, Son’s growth has been incredible – from his heroics in eliminating Germany in 2018, to winning the Asian Games gold medal that same year, and later wearing the captain’s armband. His time at Tottenham Hotspur, where he formed a devastating partnership with Harry Kane, solidified his place among football’s elite.

“Pressure means you’re doing well,” Son reflected. “That’s why people expect a lot from you. I always take it positively – it helps me become a better player and a better person.”

South Korea’s current squad is stronger than ever. Defender Kim Min-Jae is a key player for Bayern Munich and expected to return from injury soon. Lee Kang-In, now a Champions League winner with PSG, continues to shine under Luis Enrique, while Hwang In-Beom has impressed for Feyenoord in the Eredivisie.

For the first time, Son is not the team’s only star. “You make mistakes,” he admitted. “But my teammates help me so much. We share the pressure together, and that support means a lot.”

Adding to the mix is Jens Castrop, the German-born Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder, set to become South Korea’s first foreign-born World Cup player. “It’s great fun watching and playing with the new generation. I try to teach them as much as I can,” Son said.

That blend of youth and experience could be South Korea’s edge. “I try to help them, to guide them, and to inspire them in every way possible,” he added.

Also returning to the national setup is Hong Myung-Bo, the iconic captain of the 2002 team, bringing leadership and assurance. Son believes the combination gives them confidence. “We can’t promise results, and I don’t want to predict how far we’ll go. But I want us to play our own style – to fight, to be aggressive, and to help each other every game.”

Still, Son’s club form remains under scrutiny. LAFC have slipped in the Western Conference standings, and under new manager Marc Dos Santos, the team is adjusting. Yet Son refuses to shift the blame. “It’s not on the manager. I’ve just been a bit unlucky – maybe goalkeepers made some great saves. It’s on me. How can I blame someone else?” he said.

With over 200 club goals and 54 international strikes to his name, including the Premier League Golden Boot in 2022, Son’s class is undeniable. “I’m not worried. I’ve scored so many goals before – that doesn’t disappear. The skill stays forever,” he said confidently.

Son has weathered similar dry spells before. In 2017-18, he went 11 games without scoring before the World Cup – then netted twice in three matches for his country. South Korea’s form has been mixed recently, with back-to-back defeats to Ivory Coast and Austria in March. Still, their 2-0 win over the U.S. in September, where Son scored one and assisted another, showed what they can do when everything clicks.

“When the time comes, and we’re all together, we fight together. That’s the Korean spirit, and we want to show that at the World Cup. It’s going to be tough,” Son said.

Despite all the challenges, Son’s passion for representing his country remains undimmed. “It’s my fourth World Cup, but it feels like my first. I’m just really excited,” he said.

So, when asked about his scoring drought, Son laughed and replied: “I’m saving them for the World Cup.”