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Who is the best Korean soccer player to ever play the game? A top 10 list
Steve Njuguna
updated at September 9, 2023 at 10:57 AM
Korea is one of Asia's football powerhouses. South Korea has appeared at the World Cup several times with impressive performances most of the times. Today, we discuss the best Korean soccer players of all time and what they achieved or continue to achieve in their careers to warrant the recognition.
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Korean players enjoy a good reputation in the world's most significant leagues. Players like Park Ji-Sung and Heung Min-Son have all played for the biggest teams in the English Premier League and the German Bundesliga.
Who is the best Korean soccer player of all time?
The best Korean soccer player of all time is Cha Bum-Kun. The former striker started his career in South Korea at the Korean University in 1972. He later featured in the Bundesliga for Darmstadt, Bayer Leverkusen, and Eintracht Frankfurt, winning two UEFA cups. He remains the Bundesliga's record Asian goalscorer with 121 goals.
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Who is the best Korean female soccer player?
Ji So-Yun is the best Korean female soccer player in history. She started her career in Japan before earning a massive move to Chelsea in 2014. Her form made her one of the best midfielders in the world for the next eight seasons, winning the league six times and the PFA Player of the Season in the 2014/15 season.
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Who is the best Korean soccer player in 2023?
Son Heung-Min is considered one of the best South Korean players ever. The Tottenham striker has scored 12 goals in the 2022/23 season for his club and also captained the South Korean national team to the 2022 World Cup Round of 16.
Who is the most handsome Korean football player?
During the 2022 World Cup, South Korean striker Cho Gue-Sung went viral on social media for his good looks. His fame skyrocketed after he scored two goals against Ghana. He plays for South Korean top-flight side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
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Who is the best North Korean soccer player of all time?
Pak Doo-Ik is widely considered the best North Korean soccer player of all time. Pak scored North Korea's famous goal against Italy at the 1966 World Cup, knocking them out of the tournament and propelling the Koreans to the quarter-finals.
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Who is the best young Korean soccer player?
Lee Kang-in is the best young Korean soccer player. The winger has featured prominently for La Liga side Mallorca where his performances have caught the eye, earning him many admirers among La Liga teams and EPL clubs.
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The top 10 best Korean soccer players
Korean players are well respected in the world of football due to their skill and work ethic. Here is a list of some of the best South Korean soccer players of all time.
10. Cho Kwang-Rae
Name | Cho Kwang-Rae |
Age | 69 (2023) |
Playing Position | Central midfield |
Career Period | 1978-1987 |
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Cho is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the history of Korea. He won the University school games in 1976 and played at the 1986 World Cup. He was nicknamed the 'computer linker' for his ability to link passes in midfield. He later became a successful football manager in South Korea after the end of his playing career.
Source: Getty Images
9. Huh Jung-Moo
Name | Huh Jung-Moo |
Age | 68 (2023) |
Playing Position | Central midfield |
Career Period | 1975-1986 |
Moo is another midfielder who makes the list. He made his name in Korea and The Netherlands with PSV. He later became a football manager, coaching the South Korean national team to 3rd place in the 2000 AFC Asian Cup.
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8. Lee-Ho Taik
Name | Lee-Ho Taik |
Age | 76 (2023) |
Playing Position | Forward |
Career Period | 1966-1977 |
Nicknamed ' The Leopard' due to his pace and agility, Lee played for Korea in the '60s and '70s. He was named to the Korean Football Hall of Fame in 2005.
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7. Kim Joo-Sung
Name | Kim Joo-Sung |
Age | 57 (2023) |
Playing Position | Attacking midfield |
Career Period | 1987-1996 |
Kim Joo-Sung is one of Asia's best-ever players. He played most of his career in Korea, aside from a spell in Germany with VFL Bochum. He won the Asian Player of the Year award from 1989 to 1991.
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6. Ahn Jung-Hwan
Name | Ahn Jung-Hwan |
Age | 47 (2023) |
Playing Position | Second Striker |
Career Period | 1998-2012 |
Ahn is a prolific forward and celebrity entertainer. He is widely remembered for scoring the golden goal that led to Italy's elimination at the 2002 World Cup. His goal angered Italians so much that his Serie A employer, Perugia, terminated his contract! After retiring in 2012, he has led a thriving entertainment and content creation career.
5. Hwang Sun-Hong
Name | Hwang Sun-Hong |
Age | 54(2023) |
Playing Position | Striker |
Career Period | 1991-2002 |
Hwang was South Korea's best striker during the turn of the century. His club career saw spells in Germany, Japan and South Korea. Internationally he scored 50 goals for South Korea and played in three world cups. He later delved into coaching.
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4. Son Heung-Min
Name | Son Heung-Min |
Age | 30(2023) |
Playing Position | Striker |
Career Period | 2010- ongoing |
Son has been one of the best players in the world in the past decade. He started his career in the Bundesliga with Hamburg and Leverkusen before joining EPL side Tottenham Hotspurs. As of June 2023, he is the record Asian goalscorer in the English Premier League with 103 goals. He has played 3 World Cups with South Korea and won the Asian Cup in 2011,2015 and 2019.
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3. Hong Myung-Bo
Name | Hong Myung-Bo |
Age | 54(2023) |
Playing Position | Defender |
Career Period | 1991-2004 |
Hong's leadership and calm in defence made him one of the greatest defenders of his era. He played for South Korea in four World Cups, finishing fourth in 2002. He was named in the 2002 FIFA World Cup XI. He is currently coaching Korean heavyweights Ulsan Hyundai.
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2. Park Ji-Sung
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Name | Park Ji- Sung |
Age | 42(2023) |
Playing Position | Midfielder |
Career Period | 2000-2014 |
Park is considered the greatest Asian midfielder of all time. He made his name playing for the Dutch side PSV and eventually joined Manchester United, where he became a club legend for his quality skills and aggressiveness. He became the first Asian player to win the UEFA Champions League when Manchester United won the trophy in 2008. With Korea, he played in three World Cups and amassed 100 appearances.
1. Cha Bum-Kun
Name | Cha Bum-Kun |
Age | 78(2023) |
Playing Position | Striker |
Career Period | 1972-1989 |
Cha was South Korea's first player to become a superstar in Europe's major leagues. He won the UEFA Cup with Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt. He is Korea's all-time leading goalscorer with 58 goals. He also won the Asian Games gold medal in 1976.
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Korea remains a conveyer belt of talents for the world's biggest stages. As the younger generation of Korean soccer players approaches their peak, their fans will be hoping that they can finally go one better than 2002 and reach the World Cup final.
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