Korea’s Big Soccer Moment: Son Heung-min (Tottenham), Lee Kang-in (PSG), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), and Hwang Hee-chan (Wolves) Shine on AFC’s Best XI

"Son Heung-min, Hwang Hee-chan, Lee Kang-in, and Kim Min-jae achieve back-to-back honors in 2023 and 2024."

Korean Soccer Stars Dominate 2024 AFC Best XI

Korean soccer fans have reason to celebrate as four national team players have been named among the best in Asia. Captain Son Heung-min, along with key players Lee Kang-in, Kim Min-jae, and Hwang Hee-chan, secured their spots in the 2024 AFC Team of the Year, announced by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) on January 15 (KST). This marks their second consecutive inclusion after being honored in 2023.

The team, set in a 3-4-3 formation, features Hwang Hee-chan as a forward, Son Heung-min as a left winger, Lee Kang-in in midfield, and Kim Min-jae in defense.

Contributions to Korea’s Success

The quartet played pivotal roles in South Korea’s achievements last year. The national team reached the semifinals of the 2023 Asian Cup and currently holds a favorable position in Group B of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup qualifiers, boasting four wins and two draws.

Their club performances have also been stellar:

- Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur) delivered 17 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League last season. This season, he has six goals and six assists in 18 matches.

- Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers) scored 12 goals in 29 matches last season and has added two goals in 15 appearances this season.

- Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) has started every Bundesliga match this season, contributing to his team’s top position in the league.

- Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) has earned the trust of coach Luis Enrique, featuring in every match this season. PSG remains undefeated in Ligue 1, with Lee adding four trophies to his name since joining.

Japan Leads with Six Players in Best XI

While Korea celebrates its four-player inclusion, Japan tops the Best XI with six representatives. Players like Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), and Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad) showcased their skills in midfield, while Ko Itakura (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and Wataru Endo (Liverpool) strengthened the defense. Zion Suzuki (Parma) was named goalkeeper.

However, Kamada has faced criticism for underwhelming performances, earning the label of a "disappointment" after failing to record any attacking contributions in 17 league matches.

Rising Stars and Global Recognition

Beyond Korea and Japan, Qatar's Akram Afif (Al-Sadd) was the only other player included. Afif led Qatar to victory in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, scoring eight goals and earning both the Golden Boot and MVP awards.

On the same day, IFFHS unveiled the UEFA Team of the Year, featuring European stars like Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), and Rodri (Manchester City).

Korea’s Strong Finish in 2024

Led by coach Hong Myung-bo, Korea ended 2024 ranked 23rd in the FIFA World Rankings, third among AFC nations behind Japan (15th) and Iran (18th). Other notable AFC rankings include Australia (26th), Qatar (48th), Iraq (56th), and Uzbekistan (58th).

With their strong performances at home and abroad, Korea’s football stars continue to prove their dominance on the Asian stage.