Report: Korea trio questioned Son Heung-min's captaincy in late talks

📰 Reports say a captaincy dispute lay behind Korea's retirement-rumour saga, deepening talk of a rift in Roberto Moreno's squad. 📌 Key points 🌙 The 1996-born trio held a late-night meeting with Hyun Young-min after the Uzbekistan game. 🗣️ According to reports, they said Son Heung-min's leadership needed to change. 🙅 Hyun said there was "no talk of retirement" in the meeting. 😶 Son admitted that "the atmosphere was heavy". 📅 November's two friendlies are the first test of whether the rift can be healed. 📝 What happened 🌙 Money Today, citing SBS and Newsis, reported that Kim Min-jae, Hwang In-beom and Hwang Hee-chan met KFA technical committee chair Hyun Young-min until past midnight after the 2-0 win over Uzbekistan at Yongin Mireu Stadium on 6 October. The three reportedly said the team had not changed despite their repeated requests and that captain Son Heung-min's leadership needed to change. 🤝 Hyun is said to have talked them round overnight, and the players stepped back for now. According to E-Today, however, Hyun said the three only spoke about their difficulties and that there was "no talk of retirement". 🔥 After the Venezuela game on 2 October, Kim had already criticised the lack of defensive effort, saying "honestly, I feel sorry for the defenders". Asked after the Uzbekistan game whether he would retire, Hwang In-beom said "No", but added that "selection for November is up to the coach". 🧭 The reports also recalled earlier rows, including Son's clash with Lee Kang-in at the 2024 Asian Cup. Moreno's message was that "no player is greater than the team". The three players have not made any official statement. 📊 By the numbers • September–October friendlies: 2 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat • Son's international goals: 59 (a Korean men's record) • In the meeting: three players born in 1996 • Moreno's contract: until 27 November (as reported) 🔭 Why it matters A report that Korea's key centre-back, midfielder and forward questioned the captaincy at the same time is a big deal. Moreno will be judged on November's two games for a possible run to the 2027 Asian Cup. Whether all three are named in the November squad will be the first answer.