Son Heung-min eyes first league goal before joining Hong Myung-bo's squad

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup looms, all eyes in South Korea are on captain Son Heung-min, who is facing a critical juncture in his club career before rejoining the national team. Playing for LAFC in Major League Soccer (MLS), Son is currently enduring a significant scoring drought in the league, a stark contrast to his usual prolific form. While he leads MLS with 9 assists, the absence of a league goal has become a focal point for fans and media alike, especially given his team's recent struggles.

LAFC finds itself in a slump, having lost three consecutive league matches and currently sitting in 7th place. Their overall form in official competitions, including the CONCACAF Champions Cup, has been worrying, with a winless streak stretching across five games (1 draw, 4 losses). This dip in performance adds pressure on Son to not only break his personal scoring duck but also to help steer his club back to winning ways before the upcoming international break.

From a South Korean perspective, Son Heung-min is more than just a player; he is a national icon and the standard-bearer for the Taeguk Warriors. His individual form is closely scrutinized, and any dip is amplified. The narrative surrounding his current situation is one of anticipation and hope – hope that he will rediscover his scoring touch in this final league match before joining the national team, providing a much-needed confidence boost. The Dong-A Ilbo, like many Korean publications, will frame this not just as a club issue, but as a crucial prelude to his national team duties, emphasizing the importance of his morale and form for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.