Who is the best Korean soccer player to ever play the game? A top 10 list

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
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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.

Heung Min- Son and Paik Seung-Ho
South Korean players Heung Min-Son and Paik Seung-Ho consult each other during their 2022 World Cup knockout round game against Brazil in Doha, Qatar. Photo by Mohammad Karamali/DeFodi Images
Source: Getty Images

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.

Cha Bum-Kun and Jose Luis Brown
Cha is pictured here being pursued by Argentina's Jose Luis Brown during a match at the 1990 World Cup. Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography
Source: Getty Images

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.

Ji during her Chelsea farewell
Ji during her farewell match for Chelsea in 2022. Photo by Catherine Ivill
Source: Getty Images

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.

Cho Gue-Sung
Cho rises above Ghana's defence to score during their 2022 World Cup match. Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos
Source: Getty Images

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.

Pak Doo Ik scores past Albertosi
Pak Doo Ik scores his famous goal past Italian goalkeeper Enrique Albertosi at the 1966 World Cup. Photo by Central Press
Source: Getty Images

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.

Lee Kang-In
Lee Kang-In in action for Mallorca during the 2022/23 season. Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno
Source: Getty Images

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

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.

Cho Kwang-Rae
Cho Kwang Rae during his spell as South Korea coach in 2011. Roslan Rahman/AFP
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.

Huh Jung Moo
Huh Jung Moo at a press event during the 2010 World Cup. Photo by Shaun Botterill
Source: Getty Images

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.

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.

Kim Joo Sung
Kim Joo Sung in action for Korea during an Asian qualifier in 1993. Shaun Botterill/ALLSPORT
Source: Getty Images

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.

Hwang Sun-hong
Hwang during his time as manager of FC Seoul in 2018. Photo by Quality Sport Images
Source: Getty Images

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.

Heung Min-Son
Son Heung Min during a game against Iran in 2022. Photo by Mohammad Karamali/DeFodi Images
Source: Getty Images

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.

Hong Myung Bo
Hong during a J-League game in 1998. Photo by J League
Source: Getty Images

2. Park Ji-Sung

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.

Cha Bum-Kun lifting the UEFA Cup
Cha is pictured here lifting the UEFA Cup trophy after winning the 1988 final with Bayer Leverkusen. Photo by Allsport UK
Source: Getty Images
Best Korean soccer player
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

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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Authors
Steve Njuguna photo
Steve Njuguna
Steve Njuguna is a media professional with close to a decade of experience in the sports media industry. He has previously worked as a sports journalist with Bamba Sports TV, Vybez Radio and The Nairobian newspaper.