When the cheers of victory echoed, the player who ran the most was sitting on the bench. Bayern Munich returned to the top of the Bundesliga, but Kim Min-jae, who quietly maintained the center, finished the season quietly. The applause that was not heard while he played does not easily sound now.

TZ reported on the 7th (Korean time) that "manager Vincent Kompany decided to end Kim Min-jae's season early. He has been given rest despite continuing to play through Achilles and foot injuries." This means he will skip both remaining league matches, which effectively amounts to being out for the season.

Having secured the league title early, Bayern Munich chose to manage its roster for upcoming matches. The club initiated a strategy to conserve the fitness of key players ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup scheduled in June in the United States, and Kim Min-jae was included in that core group. He was set to play a key defensive role in Group C, where they would face Auckland City, Benfica, and Boca Juniors.

Kim Min-jae's rigorous schedule can be explained by numbers alone. This season, his total playing time was 3,593 minutes. This is the second-highest figure, following midfielder Joshua Kimmich. While there were various absences along the defensive line, he consistently made the starting lineup.

However, his body had been signaling distress for a long time. Achilles pain that began last fall followed him throughout the season. Being regarded as an irreplaceable asset meant he had no choice but to play, and participating was more of a "responsibility" than a "choice."

The International Football Players' Association (FIFPRO) issued a formal warning regarding Kim Min-jae's accumulated fatigue. According to data published in April, he played 20 consecutive matches with an average interval of just 3.7 days during the winter season. He also completed 20 overseas trips, with a total travel distance of a staggering 74,000 km, equivalent to circumnavigating the globe twice.

Yet this dedication went unrecognized. A mistake in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal against Inter Milan sparked sharp criticism from the media and fans. Without consideration for his physical condition, he was quickly labeled as a "culprit."

The most painful moment came later. In the official congratulatory video released after securing the league title, Kim Min-jae was completely absent from the footage. The defensive leader who was responsible for most of the season's matches was missing from the promotional image, leaving a deep wound for the fans.

The controversy quickly spread. Questions arose: "Is it a coincidence?" and "Is it an intentional exclusion?" The issue of racism was also raised. Eventually, Bayern replaced the thumbnail, and only the next day did they post a separate image congratulating Kim Min-jae on his victory on social media. However, that message only appeared on the Korean-exclusive account, and some expressed displeasure by calling it a "belated response."

Mistakes continued to occur. The club described Kim Min-jae as "the first Korean player to experience a Bundesliga title," overlooking Jung Woo-young, who was part of the championship squad in the 2018-2019 season. The phrase was later deleted. Such inconsistent responses led to greater disappointment among the fans.

Nevertheless, Kim Min-jae left a historic mark. He became the first Korean player to win titles in both Serie A and the Bundesliga. Leading Napoli to the top of the league for the first time in 33 years, he lifted the league trophy once again while wearing the Bayern uniform. He is the only Korean player to conquer two of the top five leagues in Europe.

Yet behind that brilliant career lies loneliness and silence. His body, unable to rest on time, ultimately reached its limits, and as the season drew to a close, what returned to him was criticism and alienation. The rest he has now seems less a reward for his achievements and more a belated excuse for the indifference he received all along.

[OSEN]