Mexican Football Legend Ramírez Reflects on 1998 World Cup Foul, Looks Ahead to 2026 Clash

Ramón Ramírez, the Mexican football legend once on the receiving end of a notorious foul by South Korea's Ha Seok-ju, has reflected on their 1998 World Cup encounter. The incident, where Ha received a red card for a tackle on Ramírez, occurred shortly after South Korea had taken a 1-0 lead. This red card significantly altered the game's dynamics, ultimately leading to Mexico's 3-1 victory.

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The game against South Korea 28 years ago was a tough match. But the momentum of the game changed after the South Korean player was sent off, and we eventually won, so I don't hold any grudges against the player who tackled me.

Speaking from a flight from Guadalajara to Mexico City, Ramírez, now 57, stated that while the 1998 match against South Korea was challenging, he holds no ill feelings towards the player who fouled him. "The game against South Korea 28 years ago was a tough match," Ramírez said. "But the momentum of the game changed after the South Korean player was sent off, and we eventually won, so I don't hold any grudges against the player who tackled me."

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I remember facing Hong Myung-bo, who led the South Korean defense. He was a truly great defender.

Ramírez also recalled facing Hong Myung-bo, the current South Korean manager, during that same match. "I remember facing Hong Myung-bo, who led the South Korean defense. He was a truly great defender," he remarked. Ramírez, known for his "blessed left foot," was a key midfielder for Mexico, earning 119 caps and scoring 14 goals. He also led Mexican club Guadalajara to a league title in the 1996-1997 season.

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South Korea was strong in 1998, and they are a good team now. I hope Mexico and South Korea can both advance to the knockout stage.

Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, where Mexico and South Korea are grouped together, Ramírez anticipates a difficult contest. He expects Mexico to win, perhaps 1-0 or 2-0, but acknowledges South Korea's strengths. "South Korea was strong in 1998, and they are a good team now," he said. "I hope Mexico and South Korea can both advance to the knockout stage." He specifically identified Son Heung-min as South Korea's most dangerous player, hoping he doesn't score against Mexico this time. Ramírez advised the South Korean team to focus on possession and high work rate to counter the expected fervent home crowd support for Mexico.

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Son Heung-min is a world-class attacker. I hope he doesn't score against Mexico this time.