Son Heung-min, the star player and captain of the South Korean national team, suffered a dislocated finger in a heated altercation with a teammate on the eve of their shocking Asian Cup exit. The incident occurred during dinner before the semi-final match against Jordan, which South Korea unexpectedly lost 2-0. The disagreement arose when some of the younger players finished their meal quickly to engage in a game of ping pong, a common team bonding activity. Son expressed his dissatisfaction with their early departure, particularly singling out PSG ace Lee Kang-in, 22, as one of the players he took issue with.
According to a source, the argument escalated rapidly, with disrespectful comments being exchanged. Within seconds, the confrontation spilled into the dining area, and players had to intervene to separate them. Unfortunately, Son sustained a dislocated finger while trying to calm everyone down. The Tottenham ace has since been playing with his fingers strapped together.
The defeat to Jordan came as a major surprise, considering South Korea’s superior ranking and reputation as the third-best team in Asia. Incredibly, during the semi-final match, South Korea failed to register a single shot on target. This unexpected outcome marked the end of their Asian Cup journey.
Son’s injury has not prevented him from returning to Tottenham, where he made an appearance in the team’s 2-1 victory over Brighton. He continues to wear the strapping on his fingers as a precautionary measure.
South Korea’s performance in the Asian Cup had been highly anticipated, as they were considered one of the favorites to win the tournament. However, their journey came to an abrupt end at the hands of Jordan in the semi-final. Prior to their elimination, South Korea had a relatively successful run in the competition. They secured victories against Bahrain, Malaysia, and Australia in the group stage, as well as a penalty shootout win against Saudi Arabia in the round of 16.
Although Son’s dislocated finger may have hindered his performance, it is worth noting that injuries are an unfortunate part of the game. The incident serves as a reminder of the intensity and passion that can sometimes arise within a team, even during seemingly mundane activities such as dinner. As South Korea regroups and reflects on their Asian Cup exit, they will undoubtedly look to learn from this experience and come back stronger in future tournaments.
Overall, Son Heung-min’s finger dislocation in a ping pong conflict with a teammate has left a mark on South Korea’s Asian Cup campaign. The unexpected loss to Jordan and Son’s injury serve as reminders that in football, anything can happen, and unity within a team is crucial for success.