Son Heung-min picks his favourite FIFA World Cup legend of all time

Son Heung-min will undoubtedly be one of many primary sights on the 2026 World Cup. He’s the largest star for South Korea and has already confirmed to be a notable determine in the USA since arriving in MLS to play for LAFC. Now, the ahead has chosen his favourite legend within the historical past of the FIFA match.

With the occasion in North America drawing nearer, FIFA’s official social media accounts launched a video this week exhibiting gamers from completely different nationwide groups choosing their favourite legend in World Cup historical past.

Amongst them was Son Heung-min, who didn’t hesitate in his reply: “Cristiano Ronaldo.” Not like most of the different gamers interviewed, the LAFC star didn’t select an icon from his personal nation, as a substitute basing his choice on private choice and his admiration for the Portuguese ahead’s qualities.

This isn’t the primary time Son has singled out Ronaldo above some other participant. In reality, just a few months in the past he additionally named the Portugal star as an inspiration. “Cristiano Ronaldo has at all times been my greatest idol and I’ve grown up watching him when he was enjoying for Manchester United alongside Park Ji Solar. I nonetheless watch him play and he’s nonetheless my idol,” Son mentioned.

Different gamers gave a wide range of solutions. South Korea star Lee Jae-sung selected a legend from his personal nation, Park Ji Sung. Others did the identical, together with Brazil’s Estevao, who picked Ronaldo Nazario; Colombia’s Luis Diaz, who highlighted Radamel Falcao Garcia; and Japan’s Takefusa Kubo, who named Yuto Nagatomo.

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Is Cristiano Ronaldo a World Cup legend?

Past Son Heung-min’s feedback and his private causes for selecting Cristiano Ronaldo, it’s truthful to ask whether or not the 41-year-old ahead can really be thought-about a World Cup legend primarily based on his performances with the Portugal nationwide workforce.

In Ronaldo’s favor, he’s among the many gamers who’ve appeared in probably the most editions of the FIFA match in historical past. Up to now he has performed in 5, beginning with Germany 2006, and he’s tied with gamers similar to Lionel Messi, Lothar Matthaus, Gianluigi Buffon, and Andres Guardado. In reality, this 12 months he may break that file and grow to be the primary participant to look in six World Cups, one thing Messi may additionally obtain.

Nevertheless, by way of workforce outcomes, Ronaldo’s World Cup résumé is much less outstanding. Throughout his 5 appearances, Portugal’s greatest end was fourth place in 2006, after they have been eradicated by France within the semifinals. That was adopted by one quarterfinal exit, two Spherical of 16 eliminations, and one group-stage exit.

Individually, Cristiano Ronaldo’s numbers are strong, although they fall in need of the extraordinary requirements he has set all through his profession. He has performed 22 matches on the World Cup — fifth on the all-time checklist — recording 8 objectives and a pair of assists. His greatest match efficiency got here at Russia 2018, when he scored a hat trick in opposition to Spain and added one other purpose in opposition to Morocco.