Among Asian football nations, South Korea is one of the most successful. They have earned their place in the world of football by showcasing the outstanding skills of the best Korean players in top leagues around the world, including the Premier League. Today let's explore Wintips.com the best Korean soccer player with names like Cha Bum Kun, Park Ji Sung,...
Who is the best Korean soccer player?
1. Lee Woon-Jae
We begin our list of legendary Korean football players with Lee Woon-Jae, a former goalkeeper. He participated in four consecutive FIFA World Cups (1994, 2002, 2006, and 2010), matching Mark Schwarzer's record for World Cup tournaments. One of Lee's standout performances came during the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he played all seven matches, including the third-place playoff. In this tournament, Lee kept clean sheets in three matches against Spain, Poland, and Portugal.
In the memorable quarter-final match between South Korea and Spain, Lee made history. After the match ended in a draw, it proceeded to a penalty shootout where Lee Woon-Jae delivered an extraordinary performance, saving all four of Spain's penalty kicks and securing a 5-3 victory for his team.
2. Huh Jung-moo
Next on the list of Korea's football legends is Huh Jung-moo, a 66-year-old former midfielder. Huh was a versatile player, capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder, forward, winger, and full-back. With his exceptional talent, Huh Jung-moo undoubtedly deserves recognition as one of Korea's football legends.
Huh Jung-moo's explosive playing style earned him the nickname "Jindogae," which was inspired by a breed of hunting dog native to Korea. After graduating, he joined Korea Electric Power FC and later fulfilled his military service. Huh Jung-moo represented South Korea internationally for 12 years and won two gold medals at the Asian Games. After retiring, Huh pursued a coaching career with POSCO Atoms from 1991 to 1992.
3. Lee Hoe-Taik
Lee Hoe-Taik is a former Korean professional footballer and a renowned football legend in Korea. His nickname, "The Leopard," was given to him for his agility, extreme speed, and powerful shots. Lee was known for his exceptional ability to create opportunities and deliver accurate passes to teammates. Therefore, whenever he was on the field, he acted as the midfield maestro.
Throughout his career, he represented the national team 81 times, scored 21 goals, and won eight continental titles in Asia. Lee's outstanding playing style and exquisite technique made him one of Korea's top strikers. His contributions to Korean football truly earn him a place among the legends.
4. Hwang Sun-hong
Currently serving as the head coach of Daejeon Hana Citizen, Hwang Sun-hong is one of Korea's football legends, renowned for being the best forward in Korea during the 1990s and early 2000s. Before starting his professional career, he went to Germany to gain experience in football. Hwang joined Bayer Leverkusen's reserve team and played ten matches in the first half of the season in the Oberliga Nordrhein, scoring ten goals.
The 1995 K League season was considered Hwang's peak period, during which he scored 11 goals and made 6 assists in 24 appearances. He also set a record by scoring in 8 consecutive matches. Playing 25 matches in the J1 League, Hwang scored 24 goals, winning the J1 League's top scorer award. Hwang retired at the end of 2003 and began his coaching career.
5. Son Heung-min
Son Heung-min is an indispensable name among Korea's football legends. Despite still being an active player, Son Heung-min's achievements undoubtedly secure his place on this list. As a forward for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, his talent shines through, cementing his status as one of Korea's most famous footballers.
His accolades include Premier League Player of the Month, PFA Fans' Premier League Player of the Month, and AFC International Player of the Year. Son has played for four clubs: Hamburger SV II, Hamburger SV, Bayer Leverkusen, and Tottenham, participating in 448 matches and scoring 157 goals. One of Son's notable performances was scoring four goals in a match against Southampton in the 2020–21 season.
6. Kim Joo-sung
Recognized as one of Asia's greatest players of the 20th century, Kim Joo-sung earned his place among Korea's football legends thanks to his exceptional playing style. This talented player often played as a winger, though he could also excel as an attacking midfielder and a defensive midfielder. Joo-sung played for Chosun University, Daewoo, and VfL Bochum in the German Bundesliga.
At the age of 22, Kim participated in the 1988 Asian Cup, helping lead the Korean national team to the final. Although Korea lost to Saudi Arabia via a penalty shootout in the final, Kim's outstanding performance earned him the Man of the Match award. Another achievement was leading Korea to the top of the Asian qualifiers for the 1990 World Cup.
7. Park Ji-sung
Next is Park Ji-sung. Now 42 years old, Park Ji-sung is the Korean ambassador for Manchester United, the club he played for from 2005 to 2012. Having reached his peak at MU, he undoubtedly deserves a place among Korea's football legends. His exceptional physical fitness was a defining trait of his illustrious career.
Park's career is filled with achievements proving him worthy of being one of Korea's football legends. Notably, he won the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup, becoming the first Asian player to lift the prestigious Champions League trophy.
Park Ji-sung's enduring stamina earned him the nickname "Three-Lunged Man." After his time at Myongji University, Park moved to Japan, where he played for Kyoto Purple Sanga. His performance at PSV in the 2004–05 UEFA Champions League semi-final caught the attention of Manchester United’s manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, which led to him making history in European football.
8. Cha Bum-Kun
The final entry on the list of Korea's football legends is Cha Bum-Kun. Having scored 58 goals for the Korean national team, he became the all-time leading goal scorer and helped Korea win the Asian Games in 1978. At just 24 years and 139 days old, Cha Bum-Kun became the youngest player to reach 100 international appearances. After reaching the peak of his domestic career, he moved to Germany, where he played for Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen.
Cha Bum-Kun excelled in the Bundesliga for both clubs, scoring 121 goals and winning a UEFA Cup with each team. In 1991, after retiring, he began his coaching career with Hyundai Horang. That was the glorious and truly great career of Korea's number-one football legend.
Conclusion
Determining the best Korean soccer player is no easy task, as different eras have produced players with unique qualities and achievements. However, what remains undeniable is South Korea’s continuous production of world-class talents who elevate the country's football status globally. As the sport evolves, new stars will emerge, but the legacy of Korea’s football legends will always inspire future generations.
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