Asian football has long been underestimated when compared to other regions such as Europe or South America, which are considered the centers of world football. However, Asia has always been a fertile land that produces special football talents, not only leaving their mark on the field in the region but also reaching out to the world. These players not only affirm their class but also raise the position of Asian football on the international map. In today's article, let's explore with Wintips the list of the best football player in Asia - the brightest stars who have made the region's football famous and made global fans admire!
Top best Asian players
1. Park Ji Sung (Korea)
Park Ji Sung joined Manchester United in 2005 and stayed with the club until 2013, spending 8 years at Old Trafford. During his time playing in the Premier League, he played a total of 154 times and scored 19 goals. Notably, Park Ji Sung became the first Asian player to participate in a UEFA Champions League final, marking an important step forward in his career and also a historical milestone for Asian football.
During his playing career at Manchester United, Park won many important titles. He won the Premier League 4 times, the League Cup 3 times, and the Community Shield 4 times with the "Red Devils". In the 2007-2008 season, he was an important part of the squad that won the UEFA Champions League, this victory also came with the FIFA Club World Cup title in 2008. These achievements not only helped Park Ji Sung affirm his position in the strongest team in England but also raised his name to become an Asian sports icon in the international arena.
2. Son Heung-min (South Korea)
Son Heung-min finished the 2021-22 Premier League season as the league's joint-top scorer alongside Mohamed Salah. In doing so, he became the first Asian player to win the Golden Boot in any of Europe's top five leagues. Son scored 23 goals in the Premier League last season, and what's even more impressive is that none of them were from the penalty spot.
The Tottenham Hotspur attacker is undoubtedly one of the greatest Asian players of all time. He is a quick, skilful and dynamic forward whose consistency has seen Son establish himself as one of Europe's finest. In 28 appearances in all competitions so far, the South Korean international has scored eight goals and provided three assists.
3. Mehdi Taremi (Iran)
Mehdi Taremi, an Iranian striker, is currently one of the most in-form attackers in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. This season, he has shown his sharpness with 20 goals and 11 assists in 32 appearances for FC Porto in all competitions. Taremi is not only outstanding for his scoring ability but also a very complete player, always making important contributions to the team's attacking situations. His intelligent movement and individual technique have helped Porto maintain a strong position in the domestic and European competitions.
At the national team level, Taremi has also shown himself to be excellent. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he scored 2 goals and had 1 assist in 3 appearances for the Iranian team, contributing to the team's impressive performances. Despite being 30 years old, Taremi is currently in the prime of his career. He is a late bloomer but has proven that his ability and maturity in the game are now helping him play the best football of his career, marking his remarkable maturity.
4. Kaoru Mitoma (Japan)
Kaoru Mitoma has taken the Premier League by storm. Relatively unknown until joining Brighton in the summer of 2021, Mitoma has really come alive in the last few months. He has scored seven goals for the Seagulls so far this season, all of which have come in his last 11 appearances.
Mitoma is a speedy, direct forward who has started to cause nightmares for opponents with his incredible footwork. Despite not being a particularly tall player (5ft 1in), he has also proven to be a menace in the air. Mitoma is a graduate of Tsukuba University in Japan, where he wrote his undergraduate thesis on dribbling. That makes sense now, as the Japan international seems to have mastered the art of moving the ball.
5. Hwang Hee-Chan (South Korea)
Hwang Hee-chan with his aggressive style of play. The star is one of the best players South Korea has produced in recent years and initially impressed during his time at RB Salzburg. After a couple of loan spells at FC Liefering and Hamburger SV, Hwang joined RB Leipzig in 2020, where he had a hugely forgettable debut season.
He was then loaned out to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer of 2021. Wolves were impressed with Hwang's performances and signed him permanently last summer. The South Korea international has scored once and provided three assists in 22 appearances in all competitions for the Premier League side so far.
6. Takehiro Tomiyasu (Japan)
Takehiro Tomiyasu, Arsenal's Japanese defender, is not a player who attracts attention with flashy moves or technical play. Instead, he impresses with his solidity and efficiency in defense, becoming a reliable factor in coach Mikel Arteta's squad. With a calm and disciplined style, Tomiyasu is the model of a modern full-back, always prioritizing protecting the goal against dangerous attacks from the opponent.
Not only strong in defense, Tomiyasu also shows versatility when he can play well in both right-back and left-back positions. His technical ability is also very impressive, especially his accurate crosses, helping to create scoring opportunities for teammates. This season, the 24-year-old player has 2 assists after 24 appearances in all competitions. Although his numbers are not outstanding, his quiet and stable contributions are an important factor in helping Arsenal maintain balance in their playing style. Tomiyasu has not only affirmed his value in the Premier League but also become the pride of Japanese football on the European stage.
7. Eldo Shomerodov
Eldor Shomurodov, a promising football star from Uzbekistan, is gradually asserting his name in the European arena and becoming one of the most anticipated young talents in Serie A. Before coming to Italy, Shomurodov had a brilliant 2019-2020 season in Russia with Rostov, scoring 11 goals in 28 matches. This impressive form not only helped him shine in the Russian Premier League but also attracted the attention of many top European teams. With his sharp scoring ability and flexible playing style, the striker born in 1995 quickly became the center of attention in the transfer market.
In October 2020, Genoa decided to spend nearly 10 million euros to bring Shomurodov to Serie A. In the 2020-2021 season, he scored 8 goals in 31 matches, an achievement that is not too outstanding compared to the top strikers but very remarkable for an Asian player. Shomurodov has shown a quick integration into the harsh football environment in Italy and has become the pride of Uzbekistan football. He not only represents the country's young generation of players but is also a great inspiration for Asian talents dreaming of conquering the world's biggest playground.
8. Sardar Azmoun
Sardar Azmoun is undoubtedly one of the most prominent names in Asian football in 2022 thanks to his remarkable contributions in the Zenit St Petersburg shirt. The Iranian striker has shone brightly in the Russian Premier League, scoring 10 goals in 21 matches in all competitions. Not only is he an excellent striker, Azmoun has also played an irreplaceable role in Zenit's attack, helping the team maintain its formidable strength. With an estimated transfer value of up to 25 million euros, he is considered one of the most beloved players in Asia.
These impressive performances have attracted interest from a series of big teams, including Manchester United, Newcastle, Atalanta and Lyon. Among them, Manchester United is the team that has shown the most desire to own him. On the international stage, Azmoun has also made a strong impression with his record of scoring 39 goals in 60 matches for the Iranian national team since 2014. This is not only a testament to his talent but also shows his stability over the years. With what he has achieved, Sardar Azmoun deserves to be one of the best football players in Asia today.
Conclusion
Here is a list of the best players in Asia today, compiled and shared by the sports section with readers. These names not only represent regional football talent but also leave a strong mark on the international arena. To not miss any interesting information about football, from articles about top players, major tournaments to in-depth analysis, visit our website regularly. We are committed to bringing you the latest, most accurate and most attractive content to satisfy your passion for the king of sports!
