No MLS goals are no World Cup worries for South Korean captain Son Heung-min

South Korea captain Son Heung-min is unconcerned about his lack of goals this Major League Soccer (MLS) season and believes he will find the net at the World Cup if he puts his team first.

The 33-year-old forward, once one of England’s most prolific goalscorers at Tottenham Hotspur, has yet to score a goal for Los Angeles FC in the league so far this season.

«A lot of people are worried, but I only worry when I don’t play well. I don’t think that’s the case now,» Son told the newspaper. Yonhap ⁠News Agency after joining the South Korean squad at the Utah base.

«Physically I feel great. But in other interviews I joked that I was probably saving goals for the World Cup.»

Son has scored 54 goals in 142 appearances for his country, including three during his three previous World Cup campaigns.

One more appearance in this year’s tournament would make him South Korea’s record scorer at football’s global showpiece, but Son said the last thing on his mind was individual goals.

“If I put the team above all else and worry about how I can best help the team, then the goals will follow,” he said.

“I’ve been playing that way my entire career, and that mentality won’t change.”

The Taegeuk Warriors, who will participate in their eleventh consecutive edition of the World Cup, reached the last 16 in Qatar four years ago before heading to Brazil.

This year they face Mexico, South Africa and the Czech Republic in the group stage, starting their campaign against the Czechs in Guadalajara on June 11.

Son said the players would focus on getting the details right, rather than on their potential path through the tournament in their training camp.

“Of course we want to do better than at the last World Cup,” he said.

«But we can’t predict the future. Other teams will prepare just as hard. Instead of talking about the outcome, it’s important to do our best every day.»

Published on May 27, 2026