South Korean captain Son Heung-min stands on the brink of national history, set to claim the outright record for the most appearances for the men’s national football team. The upcoming high-profile friendly against Brazil in Seoul is the stage where the iconic striker is expected to earn his 137th cap.
This milestone will see the 33-year-old LAFC forward surpass the current joint record of 136 caps, held by legendary figures: former defender Hong Myung-bo, who is now the national team coach, and iconic striker Cha Bum-kun.
The match serves as a key preparatory fixture for both teams ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America, which will be Son’s fourth appearance on football’s grandest stage. Should he not feature against the Brazilian squad managed by Carlo Ancelotti, his next opportunity to secure the record solo will come in the subsequent friendly against Paraguay.
Since his international debut in December 2010, Son has been a cornerstone of the South Korean team, netting an impressive 53 goals. The upcoming fixture offers a chance for redemption, as it was Brazil who emphatically ended South Korea’s 2022 World Cup journey in Qatar with a 4-1 defeat in the round of 16.