World Cup star has bizarre pre-game ritual that worked during debut match

A World Cup debutant has a bizarre pre-game ritual which worked wonderfully in his team's opening fixture.

South Korea got off to a winning start on Thursday, coming from behind to beat Czechia at the Akron Stadium in Zapopan, near Guadalajara.

Ladislav Krejci broke the deadlock in the 59th minute but Hwang In-beom levelled matters eight minutes later.

But it was Oh Hyeon-gyu of Besiktas who proved to be the hero, popping up in the 80th minute and sending the stadium into euphoria with a near-post finish.

The 25-year-old, who was left out of the World Cup squad four years ago in Qatar, scored a combined total of 18 goals for Genk and Besiktas in the 2025/26 and now opened his account on the world stage with his seventh strike for South Korea.

After the game, it emerged that the former Celtic striker has a number of interesting superstitions which he maintains.

According to Korean news channel YTN, he always sits at the very front of the bus for his national team and is the first to vacate the vehicle.

READ MORE: FIFA's strict World Cup rule broken twice in opening game between Mexico and South Africa

In addition, he rolls up the left hem of his shorts halfway and wraps his right hand with tape before games - calling it his "own secret and routine" and a "method I've been using for years".

But undoubtedly the most eye-catching ritual he has sees him walk across the pitch in his bare feet.

A viral video of Oh in his Besiktas training kit pre-match walking on the pitch no shoes on quickly went viral online.

Only a small amount of people were at Tupras Stadyumu to see Oh's ritual, with barely anyone else on the pitch.

He is not the first and only player to walk barefoot, with former Barcelona defender memorably removing his boots and socks before he stepped onto the Nou Camp pitch.

Explaining why he did the ritual, Mina said: "There's a saying in my country: 'Touch the ground you want to conquer with the sole of your feet'. I always do it, and I hope to be a success here."

South Korea return to action against hosts Mexico, who beat South Africa 2-0 in the curtain-raiser.

After his heroics as a substitute in the first game, Oh will be hoping to secure a spot in the starting XI.

He had suffered a fever in the build-up to the game but powered through to give South Korea the win.

"I can’t describe the feeling in words," Oh reflected on his joyous moment.

"My temperature rose to 38 degrees, and I wondered if I could play today. Thanks to all the staff and doctors here, I was able to play and even score a goal.

"It’s overwhelming and grateful just to play in the World Cup, and I’m thankful to Coach Hong Myung-bo for giving me the opportunity."