Los angeles: S. Korea captain Son Heung-min is taking childlike joy to the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Mexico. Whenever Son Heung-min thinks about playing at a FIFA World Cup, he reverts to the mindset of a child with dreams of representing South Korea on football's grandest stage. At 33, Son is set to lead South Korea in his fourth World Cup next month.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Son was named captain by head coach Hong Myung-bo for the 26-man squad announced in Seoul last Saturday. Despite uncertainty about whether this will be his final World Cup, Son intends to savor the experience. In a press interaction in Los Angeles, Son emphasized the honor and responsibility of representing South Korea. He expressed his desire to transform the tournament into a festival for everyone involved, highlighting the hard work of the past four years.

Son remains focused on the present, as he prepares for his final Major League Soccer match with Los Angeles Football Club before joining the national team's training camp. He is not looking ahead to South Korea's first World Cup match against Czechia on June 11, instead prioritizing immediate performance.

When responding to Korean media, Son reiterated his unwavering passion for representing his country and aims to bring this mindset to the World Cup. He aspires to foster a culture where fans can enjoy the tournament, emphasizing both on-field and off-field contributions to the team's success.

Despite not scoring in 12 MLS matches this season, Son leads the league with nine assists. He remains unfazed by critiques of his goal-scoring drought, understanding public expectations. Son views football as a team sport and is committed to making his teammates better. At the World Cup, while scoring goals is important, he stresses the significance of contributing to team success in various ways.