Son Heung-min scores against Mexico during the teams’ friendly match at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee, on Sept. 9, 2025, in this photo provided by the Korea Football Association. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Sept. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea captain Son Heung-min has collected his 136th cap to create a three-way tie atop the country’s male rankings.
Son subbed in for Bae Jun-ho as a winger to begin the second half of a friendly match against Mexico at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday (local time).
With his 136th international appearance, Son is now tied with former striker Cha Bum-kun and ex-defender and current national team boss Hong Myung-bo for the most caps by South Korean male players.
Son will likely break the tie next month, with South Korea scheduled to host Brazil on Oct. 10 and Paraguay on Oct. 14 in Seoul.
“I am really happy to share this moment with so many coaches and teammates. I have never once taken any of these matches for granted,” Son said. “I’ve always considered these opportunities a huge honor. And that’s why I’ve made it this far. My mindset is that this is not the end, but just the beginning for me. I will try to keep bringing joy and happiness to a lot of fans.”
Son Heung-min of South Korea smiles during a training session at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee, on Sept. 8, 2025, the eve of South Korea’s friendly match against Mexico, in this photo provided by the Korea Football Association.(Yonhap)
Son also scored his team’s first goal, as they played Mexico to a 2-2 draw. With 53 goals, Son is now five back of Cha for the all-time men’s lead.
Defender Kim Young-gown, ninth with 112 caps, is the only other active player inside the top 10 but he hasn’t been called up since September 2024.
Ji So-yun leads South Korea’s all-time list with 169 caps for the women’s national team.
Son made his senior international debut as an 18-year-old on Dec. 30, 2010. His national team career has now spanned 14 years and 254 days, the third-longest run in the men’s national team history — behind former forward Lee Dong-gook (19 years and 112 days) and ex-goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae (16 years and 159 days).
Son said he feels much better physically this year than last year and some nagging injuries are mostly behind him now.
“I feel like my normal self. It felt great to be able to play in such good physical condition,” Son added. “I am really happy to be able to help the team.”
As he usually does after national team matches, Son deflected the spotlight from himself and toward his teammates.
“My teammates worked so hard in tough conditions away from home, and I hope they get more attention,” Son added.
The captain said playing top-20 teams this month — South Korea beat 15th-ranked United States 2-0 last week before a draw against 13th-ranked Mexico — was a valuable learning experience for his team.
Still, he was disappointed not to have closed out a win over Mexico, as South Korea conceded the equalizer during stoppage time in the second half.
“When we take a lead against such a strong team, then we have to learn how to stay in front and cover each other’s backs when someone makes a mistake,” Son added. “I am sure everyone learned a good lesson from this trip.”
(Yonhap)
