According to Korean media reports from Seoul, players from the '96 generation including Kim Min-jae have conveyed concerns about Son Heung-min's leadership to the Korea Football Association.

Following the 'tragedy' of group stage elimination at the 2026 World Cup, Korean football faced renewed turmoil just as it was hastily appointing a Spanish interim coach and preparing for team restructuring. The recent news that the '96 generation 'trio'—Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Hwang In-beom (Porto), and Hwang Hee-chan (Schalke 04)—have hinted at national team retirement prompted football officials to warn that "something festering has finally burst."

According to football circles on the 8th, the three players hinted at joint national team retirement to some teammates in the locker room following an evaluation match against Uzbekistan (2-0 win) held on the 6th at Mir Stadium in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. They also displayed an unusual scene, returning to an empty pitch without leaving the stadium, embracing each other, and taking commemorative photos. In response, Hyun Young-min, head of the KFA's Competitiveness Enhancement Committee, remained at the stadium past midnight to meet with the three players.

During this meeting, the players told the committee head about the difficulties experienced by senior players on the national team that have repeatedly emerged since Son Heung-min (34, LAFC) took the captain's armband through this year's World Cup, with Son's leadership reportedly at the core of the issue. Kim Min-jae left the stadium first after his meeting with the committee head, followed by Hwang In-beom and Hwang Hee-chan. When asked about 'national team retirement,' Hwang In-beom briefly answered, "No, it's not," before departing. The committee head remained silent on the specifics of the conversation but said, "We had extensive discussions today about the difficulties we've recently faced."

An official with knowledge of FA and national team internal affairs pointed out as follows: "Looking back at the series of incidents and controversies surrounding the national team, captain Son Heung-min was always present, and public opinion consistently favored him one-sidedly. Only younger players who clashed with Son Heung-min faced criticism for immaturity."

"The FA has long been aware of the conflict within the national team, but nobody stepped forward. After the World Cup disaster, only the coach was fired while the captain remained. Ultimately, the older '96 generation players took the heat on behalf of their younger teammates."

Son Heung-min has worn the captain's armband since September 2018. Controversies have surfaced at major tournaments. During the 2022 Qatar World Cup, he brought in an unregistered personal trainer, clashing with the FA. At the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, he had a physical altercation with Lee Kang-in (25, Atlético Madrid) before the semifinal against Jordan. At the North-Central American World Cup, amid controversy over 'negative comments' from some journalists, captain Son Heung-min decided to boycott interviews with Korean media, though a significant number of players reportedly opposed this decision.

KBS N football commentator Kim Dae-gil urged communication and compromise. He stated, "Both the '92 generation's Son Heung-min and the '96 generation trio are indispensable veteran players for the national team. Ultimately, their desire to lead the national team in a better direction clashed due to differences in expression," and added, "With the January Asian Cup approaching, at this point there is no alternative but greater communication and mutual concessions among the veteran players."

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