South Korea captain Son Heung-min heads into his fourth FIFA World Cup with the enthusiasm of a first-timer, describing the experience as making him feel like a "kid" all over again. The veteran forward is set to lead his side out in Group A against the Czech Republic in Guadalajara on Thursday.

For Son, who has been the heartbeat of South Korea's attack across multiple tournaments, the thrill of competing on football's grandest stage has clearly not faded. His words ahead of the match reflect a player who, despite carrying the weight of captaincy and years of international experience, still draws genuine joy from the occasion.

The clash with the Czech Republic will mark a significant moment for Son personally — a fourth World Cup appearance is a distinction earned by very few players, and fewer still carry the responsibility of captaining their nation across such a span of tournaments.

South Korea will be counting on their skipper to deliver when it matters most in Guadalajara, where the Group A campaign kicks off under considerable expectation.