Min-jae Kim did not stop until his body gave out. However, Bayern Munich ordered him to rest too late. Bayern Munich, having secured the Bundesliga title, commanded Min-jae Kim to take a break before their last two matches, but that decision came only after everything was already over.
TZ reported on the 7th (Korean time) that 'Bayern Munich's coach Vincent Kompany decided not to use Min-jae Kim until the end of the season. Despite his Achilles tendon and foot injuries, it was ultimately decided to give him a break.' Consequently, this effectively means a season-ending situation. In the remaining league schedule, Min-jae Kim is not expected to appear.
Having early secured the league title, Bayern Munich plans to operate the remaining two matches with a focus on rotation. This decision is interpreted as taking into consideration the FIFA Club World Cup, which will be held in the U.S. starting June 15. Min-jae Kim is classified as a key defensive player in Group C, competing against Auckland City (New Zealand), Benfica (Portugal), and Boca Juniors (Argentina).
In fact, Min-jae Kim has been the centerpiece of the defense throughout this season. He logged a total of 3,593 minutes, recording the second-most playing time among field players, only behind Joshua Kimmich. Despite the risk of injury due to forced appearances, he took responsibility for the team's defensive line and played a crucial role in Bayern's league triumph.
However, the club's response to him was not as expected. Min-jae Kim, who had been complaining of Achilles tendon pain throughout the season, was pushed into an environment where he had no choice but to play. Especially with center-back resources like Upamecano and Hiroki Ito missing, he was effectively not even considered under the concept of 'unavailable for selection.'
The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) did not overlook this situation. In a report released last April, FIFPRO expressed concern, stating, 'Min-jae Kim played 55 matches this season while suffering from Achilles tendonitis. During the winter season, he played 20 consecutive matches at an average interval of 3.7 days.' It added, 'The 20 overseas trips alone this season, covering a total distance of approximately 74,000 kilometers, is equivalent to going around the Earth twice.'
The situation only tormented him. Following a mistake in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal match against Inter Milan, the flood of criticism came down harshly on Min-jae Kim without considering his condition. Despite the obvious state of accumulated injuries and fatigue, he became the target of media and fans with the label of 'culprit.'
However, during this time, Bayern Munich even failed to show 'basic respect' towards Min-jae Kim. In the official congratulatory video thumbnail released immediately after securing the league title, Min-jae Kim's face was not visible. They omitted the player who had played the most consistently in the defense throughout the season, despite being the second-most in playing time on the team from the promotional image.
Fan reactions were intense. Protests erupted, asking, 'Is this just a simple mistake?' and 'Are they ignoring a player who sacrificed so much?' Strong criticisms of racism were also raised. As the controversy grew, Bayern Munich corrected the thumbnail and posted a separate congratulatory message for Min-jae Kim on social media the following day. However, this too was published only on their Korean account, raising doubts about its authenticity.
Another mistake was added to this mix. The phrase introducing Min-jae Kim as 'the first Korean to win the Bundesliga title' was an omission of Woo-young Jung, who was part of the championship squad in the 2018-2019 season. The statement was subsequently deleted. Due to these repeated errors, some fans reacted with cynicism, saying, 'This is just belated window dressing.'
Nevertheless, Min-jae Kim has left a significant mark on the European stage. He holds the title of the first Korean player to experience victories in both Italy's Serie A and Germany's Bundesliga. Last year, he led Napoli to a league title after 33 years, and this year, he stands on top of the Bundesliga in a Bayern Munich uniform. He is the only Korean to conquer two of the five major leagues in Europe.
However, despite all these achievements, the emotions left for him at the end of the season are not entirely sweet. As a result of not resting in time, his body has deteriorated, and the joy of victory has been overshadowed by alienation and criticism. The break now offered to him feels like a belated apology.
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