Cho Gue-sung waves his hand to audiences after a match against Uruguay at Seoul World Cup Stadium in western Seoul in March 2023.NEWS1
MONTERREY, Mexico — At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, forward Cho Gue-sung didn’t just deliver on the pitch — he served face, too.
The 28-year-old heartthrob footballer is no longer just chasing hearts. He’s out to win the ball and help lead Korea’s journey through the FIFA World Cup 2026.
On June 10, The Athletic welcomed Cho's return to the World Cup stage with a simple declaration: “The ‘most beautiful player’ of the 2022 World Cup is back for more.”
The U.S. media outlet attributed Cho's rising popularity not only to his two goals during a match against Ghana in 2022 but also to his “incredibly hot” appearance. “His razor-sharp cheekbones and broad shoulders caught the attention of the thirstier parts of the internet, catapulting him to previously unknown fame,” the Athletic wrote.
His Instagram follower count exploded from roughly 20,000 before the tournament to 2.93 million afterward.
Yet the fairytale that followed the World Cup in Qatar soon gave way to a nightmare.
Cho Gue-sung heads the ball during a World Cup match against Mexico on June 18.KANG JUNG-HYUN
In May 2024, while playing for Danish club FC Midtjylland, Cho suffered an unexpected complication after knee surgery.
During a procedure to drain fluid from his knee, he was believed to have developed a bacterial infection. A second operation followed, along with a month confined to a hospital bed. After losing 14 kilograms (31 pounds), he was little more than skin and bones. The ordeal wiped out his entire 2024-25 season.
“The past year and a half was incredibly difficult,” he said. “The World Cup was the only thing that kept me going.”
After months of difficult rehabilitation, often playing through pain with the help of injections, Cho was called back to the Taeguk Warriors in November of last year.
He wasted little time reminding fans what he could do — marking his return to the national team by scoring his first goal in international competition in 653 days.
Cho Gue-sung arrives in Monterrey, Mexico, on June 21.NEWS1
The youthful, charming image that made him a global sensation in Qatar has faded. In its place stands a tougher version of Cho, his trademark long hair replaced by a cropped style that echoes the resilience he developed through injury and recovery.
During Korea's most recent match against Mexico, he came off the bench late and made an immediate impact. He unsettled Mexican defenders in the penalty area with his aerial presence and powerful header despite limited playing time.
Cho is expected to serve as Korea’s secret weapon against South Africa at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico on Wednesday.
South Africa’s defensive core features 177-centimeter-tall (5-foot-10-inch-tall) Mbekezeli Mbokazi and 167-centimeter-tall Aubrey Modiba, neither of whom is exactly towering. If a fully fit 189-centimeter Cho comes off the bench in the second half, his height advantage could pose a serious challenge to South Africa’s back four.
Korean fans are already imagining a replay of a scene from four years ago in Qatar: a pinpoint delivery from Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain met by a rising header from Cho.
Cho Gue-sung shouts on the football field after his return to the club in September 2025.SCREEN CAPTURE
Having partnered with Oh Hyeon-gyu of Besiktas JK in a two-striker setup late against Mexico, Cho explained how the pairing worked.
“My strength is in the air, so I told Hyeon-gyu to keep making runs in behind,” he said. “The chance came because he made a great run across the defense. If we get to play together again, I think we can create even better opportunities.”
Cho vowed to build on that performance.
“I was able to put pressure on Mexico's defense when I came on,” he said. “If I get the opportunity against South Africa, I hope I can contribute through my link-up play as well.”
Korea, sitting second in Group A with one win and one loss, need only a draw against South Africa to advance to the Round of 32. South Africa have one draw and one defeat in the tournament.
Cho Gue-sung speaks with reporters at a training site for national footballers on Oct. 10, 2023.YONHAP
But Cho has no interest in settling for a point.
“We’re not playing for a draw,” he said. “We’re going to win and move on.”
Fittingly, FIFA recently posted a photo of the Korean national team on its official social media channels alongside the phrase “Even if you fall, rise again" (translated), a lyric from the official anthem of the FIFA World Cup 2026, “DNA (More Than A Game).”
Few players embody those words better than Cho.
After overcoming a devastating injury, a lengthy absence and months of uncertainty, he has returned to the pitch with a new look and renewed purpose. Ready to put his heartthrob status behind him, Cho now stands on the brink of another defining moment — perhaps to celebrate victory once again.
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This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
