The domestic season has been arduous for many players, especially those who had to pause their club campaigns to represent their countries in mid-season tournaments. The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the Asian Cup posed additional challenges for clubs, with players being called up to participate. Tottenham Hotspur, for instance, had to cope without their key player, Son Heung-min, for almost a month as he represented South Korea, who reached the semi-finals of the tournament. Son returned from international duty with a bandage on his hand, allegedly due to an altercation with teammate Kang-in Lee the night before South Korea suffered a surprising defeat against Jordan.
According to Metro, the fight between Son and Lee reportedly stemmed from the younger players in the team leaving a meal early to play table tennis, which evidently angered Son. In response to the ensuing controversy, Son took to his official Instagram account to express his apologies. He acknowledged that both he and Kang-in had made mistakes in the past but had benefited from the guidance of experienced teammates, which had shaped their development. As senior members and leaders of the national team, Son and his fellow players pledged their support to help Kang-in mature as a person and player, ensuring that such misconduct would not be repeated. Son admitted that he could have handled the situation better and accepted the criticism he received. However, as captain, he believed it was his responsibility to take unpleasant actions for the sake of the team. He vowed to lead his teammates more intelligently and wisely in the future.
Son emphasized that Kang-in had been going through a challenging period since the incident and requested forgiveness with a compassionate heart. He also dismissed rumors of division within the national team, asserting that they had always strived to be united with a shared goal. Son expressed sincere regret for causing such a disruptive issue despite the love he had received through football. Looking ahead, he promised that the South Korean national team would work even harder to grow stronger from this experience. Once again, as captain, Son extended his heartfelt apologies on behalf of the South Korean national team.
According to the Source caughtoffside.com