FIFA's announcement that Son Heung-min has been officially selected as one of the 'iconic legends' for the 2026 North and Central America World Cup brings a sense of pride to Korean football fans. It is a monumental moment, elevating the stature of Korean football as he stands alongside global icons like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. This is not merely a recognition but an opportunity to reflect on his illustrious career and the journey of Korean football, as well as to analyze the significance he will hold in the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
When discussing Son Heung-min's career, the 2018 World Cup group stage match against Germany is an unmissable highlight. At that time, Korea was considered significantly weaker and was hoping for a miracle against the world champions, Germany. However, with head coach Shin Tae-yong's tactical decisiveness and the players' tenacity, Korea achieved an unexpected 2-0 victory. Particularly in this match, Son Heung-min scored the decisive second goal, sealing the win. Germany's goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, had advanced out of the penalty box for an attack, and Son capitalized on this mistake, slotting the ball into the empty net to create a piece of history.
From a tactical standpoint, the 2018 match against Germany was a perfect display of Korea's cohesive defensive organization and effective counter-attacking strategy. Korea absorbed Germany's relentless attacks while exploiting their vulnerabilities with swift transitions to create decisive opportunities. Son Heung-min was pivotal in this strategy. His explosive speed and vast work rate were crucial, pressuring opponents defensively and making incisive runs into space offensively. His second goal was a testament to his exceptional spatial awareness and finishing ability, punishing Germany's tactical blunder. FIFA also highlighted the historical significance of this 2-0 victory, noting it as