Moreno Retains Son as Captain Amid Squad Tensions
The interim coach confirmed the LAFC forward's leadership role following reports of internal friction and a recent boot-throwing incident.
By Bianca Herrera ·
Son Heung-min will continue to wear the armband for South Korea, confirming his role as captain for upcoming international friendlies. Coach Robert Moreno made the decision public on Thursday, directly addressing rumors of discord within the squad. The 34-year-old forward, who plays for LAFC in Major League Soccer, was included in the roster for matches against Saudi Arabia and Qatar scheduled for next month.
Moreno also selected three veteran players based in Europe: Kim Min-jae, Hwang Hee-chan, and Hwang In-beom. Reports indicate these players were ready to resign from the national team last month. The coach stated he has held multiple conversations with the group since assuming his interim role after the World Cup defeat in North America. He noted that he spent more time communicating with the players than conducting training sessions.
When asked specifically about Son's leadership, Moreno offered a brief answer. "The captain is Son Heung-min. I have nothing more to say," he told reporters. He added that even in top teams, players may hold differing opinions, and the critical factor is how those differences are resolved. Moreno described the current team atmosphere as healthy and expressed confidence that the players will work together effectively.
The speculation regarding squad tensions gained momentum after a friendly match against Venezuela earlier this month. In that 0-0 draw, Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae threw his boots in anger after being substituted in the second half. Kim later stated that every player needs to put their head down and give their all, a comment that fueled talk of divisions. In response, the South Korean Football Association asked fans to stop excessive personal attacks on the players.
Moreno's contract expires after the two scheduled friendlies. However, national football officials may extend his tenure for the Asian Cup, which is set to take place in Saudi Arabia in January. The national team faces scrutiny following a poor performance at the recent World Cup, where they failed to advance past the group stage. That result led to the resignation of former coach Hong Myung-bo.
The interim manager emphasized that the announced squad reflects his assessment of the team's needs. He believes the current lineup provides the answer to recent questions about team unity. The friendlies will serve as a practical test of the squad's cohesion before the next major competition.
