Nashville: 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.

According to Yonhap News Agency, 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.

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 253 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 is also closing in on Cha's record of 58 goals. Son is at 52 goals, after scoring South Korea's first goal in their 2-0 win over the United States in New Jersey on Saturday.