Son “I made mistakes when I was young, so please generously forgive Kangin.”

Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in laughing together Lee Kang-in, who had a neck-and-neck fight with Son Heung-min (left), captain of the national soccer team and nine years his senior, announced on his Instagram on the 21st that he visited Son Heung-min in person and apologized. Then, Son Heung-min also left a message on his Instagram that day saying that he accepted Lee Kang-in's apology. The photo posted by Son Heung-min on Instagram shows him smiling and standing in front of the camera with Lee Kang-in, who was visiting London, England.

Lee Kang-in (23), who was criticized by public opinion for fighting with national soccer team captain Son Heung-min (32) by the collar, announced that he personally visited Son Heung-min and apologized. Son Heung-min accepted the apology.

Lee Kang-in posted on his Instagram on the morning of the 21st, "I have caused great disappointment to Heung-min, the entire team, and soccer fans with my short-term thoughts and careless actions during the Asian Cup competition. I visited Heung-min in person and expressed my sincere condolences." I thought it was important to apologize. “I would like to thank Heungmin again for welcoming me when I visited London.” It has been 16 days since he had a neck-and-neck fight with Son Heung-min.

Lee Kang-in also posted an apology on Instagram on the 14th, when his argument with Son Heung-min became known through media reports. At the time, the expression ‘argument’ was used regarding the argument with Son Heung-min. The target of the apology was soccer fans, not Son Heung-min. Posts are also automatically deleted after 24 hours. For this reason, criticism continued among soccer fans that the apology was insincere, and Lee Kang-in posted his second apology in a week. In his first apology, Lee Kang-in wrote 'Brother Son Heung-min', but in his second post that day, he dropped his last name and said 'Brother Heung-min.'

Lee Kang-in said, “Heung-min did not listen to the advice he gave me as a captain, older brother, and teammate for the sake of unity and only expressed his opinion,” and “I did something I should never have done at a meal that day.” Even looking back now, it was something I should never have done. “I am deeply sorry,” he said.

The two grabbed each other by the collar and fought in the restaurant of a hotel in Doha, Qatar, on the 5th (local time), a day before the Asian Cup semifinals against Jordan. The fight started when some juniors, including Lee Kang-in, finished dinner first and played table tennis in the lounge area of ​​the hotel. Son Heung-min said, ‘There is a game tomorrow, so take a break to take care of your condition,’ but Lee Kang-in said, ‘Why are you interrupting my rest time?’ and it escalated into a physical fight. Lee Kang-in also apologized to other seniors and colleagues on the national team. Lee Kang-in said, “I am reflecting on the lack of consideration and respect in my words and actions when dealing with my seniors and colleagues. “He promised to have a more correct attitude and courtesy,” he wrote.

About an hour and 10 minutes after Lee Kang-in posted his post, Son Heung-min also left a post on his Instagram. He also posted a photo taken with Lee Kang-in, who came to visit him, smiling. Son Heung-min said, “Kang-in sincerely reflected and offered a sincere apology to me and all the players on the national team.” He added, “Kang-in is going through a very difficult time after that incident.” Please forgive me just once with a generous heart. He said, “As the captain of the national team, I definitely ask you to do so.”

After Lee Kang-in's dispute with Son Heung-min became known, he was caught in the crossfire of public opinion, including, 'He should be stripped of his national team qualifications.' Arachi Chicken, which used Lee Kang-in as its advertising model, decided not to renew its contract with Lee Kang-in. The website also removed content related to Lee Kang-in. Mobile telecommunication company KT also took down a promotional advertising poster featuring Lee Kang-in as its model. Coupang Play, an online video service (OTT) company that broadcasts matches of Lee Kang-in's team Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in Korea, did not broadcast photos or subtitles related to Lee Kang-in, unlike in the past, when announcing the PSG-Nantes match held on the 18th.

Son Heung-min said, “When I was young, I made mistakes and showed bad behavior, but I am where I am today because of the good advice I received from good seniors.” He also said, “I will take special care from your side so that you can grow as a player.” Son Heung-min said, “I don’t think I did a good job, and I think it was an action that could be criticized enough,” but added, “I believe that it is the captain’s duty to do such unpleasant things for the team, so I don’t think I’ll be in the same situation again.” “I will act for the good of the team,” he said. 스포츠토토맨