'Footballers inevitably take risks, it's my decision to take that risk'

Football

Published: 17 Nov. 2022, 17:19 Updated: 21 Nov. 2022, 10:34

'Footballers inevitably take risks, it's my decision to take that risk'

Son Heung-min wears a mask to protect his face during a Korean national team training session on Wednesday at Al Egla Training Facility in Doha, Qatar. [YONHAP]

After his first training session with the national team at Al Egla Training Facility in Doha, Qatar on Wednesday, Son Heung-min talked about his condition and how he feels wearing a mask.

Son is currently training while wearing a carbon-fiber mask after his eye socket was fractured during a collision in the 29th minute of a Champions League game between Tottenham Hotspur and Marseille at Stade Velodrome in Marseille, France on Nov. 1.

Son underwent surgery earlier this month on one or multiple orbital fractures. While showing up at training session is a good sign, whether he will play wearing the mask or indeed play at all still remains to be seen. However, the Korean captain arrived in Qatar with every intention of making it into the squad.

Here's everything Son said in his post-training press conference.

Son Heung-min speaks at a press conference after a training session for the FIFA World Cup at Al Egla Training Facility in Doha on Wednesday. The scar from his recent surgery is clearly visible by his left eye. [NEWS1]

Q. How does it feel training for the first time after your injury and with the new mask?

A. I actually trained with my club even before coming here so training doesn’t feel that different. Also, the national team and my club have been communicating throughout the whole process so training did not feel that much different.

Q. How do you feel physically compared to before the injury?

A. I've played most of the matches this season. I've only been out for 10 days, so I think that worked out well for me because I could take the time to recover. Surgery obviously isn’t the best thing you can to do your body but I heard that it went well. Although I am still recovering from the surgery, I don’t have any specific problems physically.

Q. How much do you think have you recovered and does that affect your chances of playing in the World Cup?

A. It’s hard to say much at this point because I’m not a doctor. I would be the first one to update you on my situation if knew anything. What I can tell you right now is that I will always do my best and that all footballers in every match play with some sort of risk. There’s always a risk of injury for us, even when you're in a good condition. So I can’t guarantee right this moment that I will play every single match. I want to take it day at a time, step by step.

Q. How are you dealing with situations where you have to head the ball?

A. I can’t head the ball yet and I haven't tried yet. It’s only been 10 days since the surgery and that’s not a long time. I don’t have any problem with running. I trained with the club just two days before arriving here and I was able to complete my sprint training without any problems.

Q. How did the mask feel during training?

A. It’s more comfortable than I was expecting. Although it does feel different from when I tried it on in the UK because of the weather. I think it was more comfortable there because I sweat more here due to the heat. I kept touching my mask during training to adjust it. I am still getting used to it but I was surprised at how comfortable it was.

Q. What is the mask made of and how many did you bring?

This is supposed to be a secret, but yes it’s made out of carbon-fiber so it’s very light and strong. I was actually really surprised at how light it was. I brought enough. Also, it’s not like they break and, if they do, then by that point I'm already clearly in a dangerous situation. Fingers crossed that doesn’t happen. I think I’ll be trying on all the masks as they can be slightly different and figure out which one I am most comfortable with.

Q. Fans are worried that you might be overworking yourself by playing at the World Cup after the injury. What are your thoughts?

A. I think that depends on how you look at things. Footballers inevitably take risks to play, it's my decision to take that risk. I am willing to take that risk for the fans, to give them that excitement and hope.

Q. What did coach Paulo Bento and the other players say to you?

A. The thing that I was asked most today was if I was okay. The other players didn’t know how I was doing so they were really happy to see me and I was grateful. It’s always great to be welcomed. The head coach and staff were also very welcoming, Bento did say that we should take things slowly, watch my condition as we carry out our daily training sessions. But to tell you the truth, I haven’t been able to talk to him much because it hasn’t been long since I arrived.

Q. What are your thoughts going into your third World Cup? What are your goals?

A. Everyone desperately wants to come to the World Cup. But wanting it is not enough. This is my third World Cup and I can say that I am as desperate as anyone else but I think the most important thing to do is prepare well. I don't know what will happen in the future but from the first match to the last, I want to make the most of what I have and my aim is to make this World Cup special.

BY YUN SO-HYANG AND PARK RIN [yun.sohyang@joongang.co.kr]