There are forced evaluations regarding Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich). He has been dedicated, but the evaluation is the worst.
Bayern Munich topped the 2024-2025 German Bundesliga on the 5th (Korea time). On the same day, second-placed Bayer Leverkusen drew 2-2 with SC Freiburg, confirming Munich's first place regardless of the outcomes of the remaining two matches. With 76 points, Munich maintained a lead over Leverkusen, which remained at 68 points, securing its 34th league title.
This victory is also a meaningful record for Kim Min-jae. After leading Napoli to the Serie A title, he has now added a Bundesliga championship to his resume, becoming the first Korean defender to experience the pinnacle of two major European leagues.
This season, Kim Min-jae has devoted himself to 43 matches, totaling 3,593 minutes combined in league and cup competitions. In terms of league playtime alone, he recorded 2,289 minutes, the second-highest on the team after Joshua Kimmich. Despite injuries to the defensive line, he did not give up and maintained his place on the field in every match. His statement at the end of last year, "I would rather play and break than sit on the bench," epitomizes the determination he has shown.
However, his image was absent from the official championship video released by Bayern Munich. The thumbnail of the content posted on the club's YouTube channel featured 11 players, from which Kim Min-jae was excluded. Instead, players like Upamecano, who frequently missed matches, and Goretzka, who had limited playing time, were included. As it was not an existing group photo but an image created from selected individuals, this raised interpretations of intentional omission.
On the 7th, Sport summarized and released ratings of Bayern Munich players' performances in the Bundesliga this season.
Sport rated Kim Min-jae as having shown stable defensive skills during the first half of the season but has recently been plagued by criticism. He has struggled due to the impact of injuries and is currently regarded as an uncertain resource in the defense line. A possible summer transfer is also mentioned," with a rating of 4.5. This is close to a failing level.
In contrast, other defenders like Upamecano, Dier, and Stanisic all received a rating of 2.5. Even Hiroki Ito, who played just six matches throughout the season due to injuries, received a rating of 4, which was higher than Kim Min-jae's. Boey, who is likely to be released after the season, also scored just 5. Kim Min-jae's rating was among the lowest in Bayern's defense line.
These evaluations starkly contrast with the records Kim Min-jae has shown this season. He logged the second-highest playing time among field players at Bayern Munich. He played in 27 matches in the Bundesliga, totaling 2,289 minutes on the field, and handled 3,593 minutes across all 43 matches, including cup competitions. Even during a time when team defenders continuously fell due to injuries, he maintained his position without wavering.
Towards the end of the season, Bayern Munich saw three defenders, Upamecano, Alphonso Davies, and Ito, diagnosed with season-ending injuries. Kim Min-jae filled that gap. Despite concerns of overexertion, he repeatedly started and played full-time without substitutions.
However, Bayern Munich's stance was cold. In the videos and images released on the club's YouTube following the championship confirmation last week, Kim Min-jae was omitted. Criticism spread, especially among domestic fans. Despite being a key defender who led Bayern Munich to the league title this season, he was excluded from the main promotional material.
As the controversy intensified, Bayern Munich released a separate image through the club's official account on the 6th. The post included an illustration of Kim Min-jae riding on a flower palanquin with the message: "We sincerely congratulate Kim Min-jae on his Bundesliga victory. His passion and dedication shown in 27 matches and 2,289 minutes was a significant strength for Munich this season. Congratulations on his first trophy as a player." The prevailing interpretation is that this was a damage control post due to the criticism.
Kim Min-jae has continued to play silently for the team without expressing much emotion through interviews or social media, but as the season ended with continued neglect and devaluation, there are criticisms suggesting a lack of due respect towards him.
Meanwhile, Kim Min-jae's potential departure in this summer's transfer market is also being mentioned. With the possibility of a complete overhaul of the Bayern Munich defense line, his situation is expected to become a hot topic in the European transfer market once again.
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