Son Heung-min names Cristiano Ronaldo as his favorite World Cup legend

The South Korean star picks the Portuguese forward as his all-time World Cup great

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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As he prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with South Korea, star player Son Heung-min has revealed that his favorite legend in the tournament's history is Cristiano Ronaldo. Unlike many other players who chose icons from their own countries, Son singled out the Portuguese forward as his personal idol and inspiration.

Why it matters

Son Heung-min's selection of Cristiano Ronaldo as his favorite World Cup legend is noteworthy, as the South Korean star is one of the biggest names heading into the 2026 tournament. His admiration for Ronaldo, who has played in a record-tying five World Cups, provides insight into Son's own aspirations and the players he looks up to on the global stage.

The details

In a video released by FIFA, Son Heung-min did not hesitate in naming Cristiano Ronaldo as his favorite World Cup legend. The LAFC forward explained that Ronaldo has "always been my biggest idol" and that he has "grown up watching him" play for Manchester United and the Portugal national team. This is not the first time Son has singled out Ronaldo, as he previously cited the Portuguese star as a major inspiration. Other players interviewed chose legends from their own countries, such as South Korea's Park Ji-sung and Brazil's Ronaldo Nazario.

  • Son Heung-min's comments were made in the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo is currently tied for the record of most World Cup appearances with 5, which he could break in 2026.

The players

Son Heung-min

A South Korean professional footballer who plays as a forward for Major League Soccer club LAFC and the South Korea national team.

Cristiano Ronaldo

A Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward and is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He has played in a record-tying 5 FIFA World Cups.

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What they’re saying

“Cristiano Ronaldo has always been my biggest idol and I've grown up watching him when he was playing for Manchester United alongside Park Ji Sun. I still watch him play and he's still my idol.”

— Son Heung-min (worldsoccertalk.com)

The takeaway

Son Heung-min's selection of Cristiano Ronaldo as his favorite World Cup legend speaks to the global appeal and influence of the Portuguese star, who continues to inspire top players from around the world despite his advancing age. As Son prepares to lead South Korea at the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo's example may serve as motivation for the Asian star to leave his own mark on the tournament.