Doha:Son Heung-min, the longtime captain of South Korea's men's national football team, described recent team controversy as an opportunity for growth. This statement comes amid alleged friction with teammates, which he views as a "silver lining."

According to Yonhap News Agency, Son spoke ahead of South Korea's friendly match against Saudi Arabia, set to take place in Al Rayyan, near Doha. The match marks the team's first since their 2-0 victory over Uzbekistan on October 6. That win was marred by reports that three veteran players—Hwang In-beom, Hwang Hee-chan, and Kim Min-jae—considered retiring from the national team due to frustrations with senior players Son and Lee Jae-sung.

Despite rumors of ongoing discord, caretaker coach Robert Moreno included all five players in the squad for the November match. On Thursday, the players released a joint statement indicating they had resolved their differences and were ready to move forward.

Son expressed that the recent challenges provided a chance for open dialogue with teammates. "It was a precious opportunity for us to talk about things that we wanted to say and that needed to be said," he remarked. While declining to detail specific discussions, Son emphasized the importance of internal team processes in overcoming adversity and pursuing common goals.

As captain for over eight years, Son acknowledged the pressure that comes with the role, stating, "Of course, I do [want to take off the armband]. But it is not something I can simply choose." He added, "Having that kind of weight on my shoulders is a huge honor."

Son also noted his continuous learning process, taking lessons from both veteran and younger teammates. "I am thankful that I have teammates who can tell me where I need to be better," he said, highlighting the collaborative environment within the team.