'Feel like a child again': Son relishing World Cup campaign with South Korea

Son will lead his side out on Thursday in the second match of the tournament after co-hosts Mexico kick off the showpiece against South Africa.

"The lads are incredibly fired up for this game, and I actually have to calm them down," Son said at the pre-match press conference in Guadalajara.

"I hope our hard work will bear fruit, and I think we absolutely deserve it. The atmosphere is fantastic, and I can sense it in my teammates' eyes.

"Every World Cup match is so crucial that, as a player, you would stake your life on it. Tomorrow, we will give everything we have and more."

Former Tottenham star Son, aged 33, enters his fourth and perhaps final World Cup following a difficult season with his new club, Los Angeles FC, in which he scored only twice.

He stated that his enthusiasm for football's global event never waned.

"My mindset is similar, whether it is my first or last World Cup. I feel like a child again," he said.

"I have never once said this is my last World Cup. The most important thing is to do my job. People can say whatever they like, and I will choose my path carefully."

South Korea will face Mexico on June 18th before taking on South Africa on June 24th in their final Group A match.