While Son Heung-min remains South Korea's most recognizable star, a Mexican journalist covering the 2026 FIFA World Cup identified another player as equally vital to Hong Myung-bo's squad: Kim Min-jae.
On June 6 local time (June 7 KST), South Korea held a FIFA Community Training Session at Chivas Verde Valle in Guadalajara, Mexico. As part of FIFA's World Cup fan engagement program, approximately 800 local residents attended the open training session to watch the Taeguk Warriors prepare for the tournament.
A total of 26 players took part in the session, including the 24-man World Cup squad and two training partners.
Bae Jun-ho continued his recovery from the left ankle injury he suffered during the friendly against Trinidad and Tobago on May 31. After completing indoor rehabilitation work, he emerged to perform light running exercises. Meanwhile, Lee Tae-seok was held out of training as a precaution after experiencing discomfort in his left calf.
Hong's squad began with physical conditioning exercises, attacking drills and rondos before moving into a practice match.
However, both Um Ji-sung and Kim Min-jae sat out the scrimmage. Um followed an individual program to manage a knee issue, while Kim was withdrawn to avoid unnecessary fatigue and help manage his physical condition.
As the training session neared its conclusion, a local Mexican journalist approached with an immediate question.
"Do you speak English?" he asked before quickly following up with, "Why isn't Kim Min-jae participating? Is he injured?"
After being informed that the Bayern Munich defender was simply being rested, the journalist appeared satisfied with the explanation.
The reporter, Luis Ascanio of El Informador, a newspaper covering the Mexican state of Jalisco, later shared his impressions of the South Korean team.
"Watching the training in person, it was easy to see why Son Heung-min is such a special player," Ascanio said.
"But Kim Min-jae is just as important to this South Korean team."
His concern regarding Kim's absence suggested just how highly he rates the defender's influence on the squad.
Ascanio was also asked about Mexico's prospects ahead of the tournament.
"Mexico has a strong midfield, and Johan Vásquez gives the defense stability," he said. "There are definitely strengths at the back."
"However, the team has been inconsistent. One of the biggest concerns is a lack of creativity in attack."
When it was pointed out that inconsistency and attacking creativity have also been concerns for South Korea, Ascanio highlighted another player he believes could make the difference.
"South Korea has Lee Kang-in," he said. "He plays for Paris Saint-Germain and brings creativity to the national team."
Considering Mexico's current shortage of natural playmakers, Ascanio's assessment carried particular weight.
As South Korea prepares for its World Cup campaign, Son Heung-min may remain the team's global superstar, but from the perspective of at least one local observer in Mexico, Kim Min-jae's fitness could prove just as crucial to the country's hopes of a deep run in the tournament.
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