Son Heungmin’s 50th International Goal

Son Heungmin’s journey to becoming one of Korea Republic’s top scorers reached a historic milestone as he netted his 50th international goal in Korea’s 3-1 World Cup qualifying win over Kuwait. With this goal, Son joins the elite ranks of Korean football legends Hwang Sunhong and Cha Bumkun, becoming only the third player in South Korean history to reach the half-century mark.

Early Struggles and a Surprising Turnaround

Remarkably, a young Son wasn’t known for goal-scoring; he had only seven goals across his first 36 appearances. For years, the idea of reaching 50 goals seemed a distant dream. But like his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo—who also had a slow scoring start—Son embraced relentless practice to improve his finishing. As Ronaldo broke barriers for Portugal, Son took inspiration and worked tirelessly to hone his shot. In 2015, this dedication paid off, with Son achieving his best goal tally in a single year, scoring nine goals in 12 games.

The Legacy of Hard Work

Son’s landmark 50th goal wasn’t just about individual achievement. The Tottenham Hotspur star was quick to attribute his success to teamwork, saying, “I came back from an injury and was able to score thanks to my teammates. It’s a big honour to score 50 goals, but what matters most is that we won today.”

Son’s contribution was essential as Korea Republic surged to 13 points in Group B of Asian qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, reinforcing their status as one of the top teams in Asia. Reflecting on the team’s success, he added, “Winning always makes me happy. This is the result of our daily hard work. People thought this would be an easy win, but the world gives you nothing for free.”

Following in Ronaldo’s Footsteps

For Son, who idolized Ronaldo’s work ethic and skill, this milestone symbolizes the power of perseverance. Just as Ronaldo became Portugal’s all-time leading scorer, Son has ascended to one of Korea Republic’s greatest goal scorers, a testament to his unyielding drive and dedication.

Now, with Korea Republic looking strong in their qualification bid, Son Heungmin’s journey stands as a shining example of hard work, resilience, and ambition. As he continues to chase more records, one thing is clear: his journey from underdog to superstar will inspire many future generations.