Korean national soccer team’s key defender Kim Min-jae (26, Napoli) expressed his difficult feelings and hinted at retirement. Although he did not specifically announce his intention to retire, the football world was ‘shocked’ because it was a remark that could be interpreted as saying that he could remove the Taegeuk mark.
Right after the match against Uruguay held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 28th, Kim Min-jae met with reporters in the joint coverage area (Mixed Zone) and said, “It’s a bit difficult right now. I’m mentally broken.” I want to focus on my team rather than the national team,” he said. 먹튀검증
It was a ‘shock’ that broke everyone’s expectations. Kim Min-jae has been active as a key defender by playing 49 A-matches since he first wore the Taegeuk mark in September 2017. Although there were times when he experienced setbacks due to injuries, he was honored by leading the way to the round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Min-jae Kim was also the key to the coaching system of Jürgen Klinsmann (58, Germany), who was newly appointed at the end of last month after former coach Paulo Bento (53, Portugal) left. During this month’s A-match convocation period, he started and played full-time in both matches (Colombia and Uruguay).
At the official press conference held at the Paju National Training Center (NFC) on the 27th, Kim Min-jae said of Kim Young-kwon (33, Ulsan Hyundai), who joined the “Century Club (100th appearance in A match),” “I think he is proud and great. It is a record that can be achieved only when there are no injuries and the ability is maintained,” he said. “My goal is to maintain steady performance without injury. I want to participate in A matches as much as my body can reach.”
However, in just one day, Kim Min-jae gave a ‘shock’ to the soccer world with an unexpected remark. Of course, no official position has been released yet, but judging from his interviews so far, it can be interpreted that he can put down the Taegeuk mark.
In particular, Kim Min-jae repeatedly emphasized that he would leave the national team behind and focus only on his team while repeating that the current situation is very difficult. Furthermore, he confessed that he was in the process of coordinating while talking specifically with the Korea Football Association (KFA).
However, some interpret it as meaning that Kim Min-jae wants to focus more on his team as he is about to compete for the championship at the end of the season. Therefore, he predicts that he is not actually retiring, but is discussing and coordinating a plan to temporarily exclude from the call for friendly matches.
In fact, Italy’s Serie A Napoli, to which Kim Min-jae currently belongs, took the lead and came close to winning the championship after 33 years. Not only that, but it is also considered a strong candidate for the championship while reaching the quarterfinals of the European Football Federation (UEFA) Champions League (UCL).