Kim Min-jae (29, Bayern Munich) was absent from the festival marking the end of the season. Fans are increasingly discussing the growing 'alienation.'

Bayern Munich recently confirmed its early Bundesliga title and held a club-wide open training session. The tradition of 'guard of honor,' where players and coaching staff enter to applause, continued, and training scenes were shared live with fans through the club's social media and official channels. Kim Min-jae did not appear at the event, which was attended by key figures including Kane, Müller, Davies, and Dier.

The day held significance beyond just training. It was part of a championship celebration attended by fans and club staff, sharing the team's symbolic moments. Kim Min-jae's absence, who recorded 43 appearances and was second in playing time among field players, was a scene that could not be overlooked.

Similar scenes have occurred before. In the commemorative video and thumbnail image released immediately after Bayern Munich confirmed its title, Kim Min-jae was also absent. This video spread rapidly among global fans, and some questioned, 'Why is only Kim Min-jae missing?' There were voices pointing out racial elements, and eventually, the club replaced the image belatedly and featured Kim Min-jae in a separate post, but another controversy arose. The phrase 'the first Korean champion in Bundesliga history' disregarded Jung Woo-young's prior achievements.

At this point, it is difficult to regard this as just a simple mistake. Of course, Kim Min-jae has ended the remainder of the season early due to Achilles and foot pain. TZ reported, 'New manager candidate Vincent Kompany wants to give Kim Min-jae ample recovery time.' However, this behavior contrasts sharply with that of transfer targets or other injured players who made appearances at the event.

Among fans, there is an evaluation that 'this is not just a break, but a distance.' Kim Min-jae played with painkillers until mid-season and there were times when he stood alone while other defenders were injured. With 27 appearances and 3,593 minutes played, this is among the top records for defenders in the Bundesliga. Though he dedicated himself when the team was in crisis, he appears to be continually excluded from end-of-season photo calls and public content as well as fan engagement events.

The atmosphere is gradually shifting subtly. Florian Plettenberg from Sky Germany reported, 'Bayern Munich will remain open to Kim Min-jae's transfer if an offer exceeds €50 million (about 78.6 billion won).' In fact, rumors have emerged that Chelsea, Newcastle, and Juventus have been in contact with Kim Min-jae's camp. Considering the current situation, the likelihood of a transfer this summer is not low.

Kim Min-jae lifted the Scudetto with Napoli last season and experienced Bundesliga victory with Bayern Munich this season. This means he has now reached the top of the five major European leagues twice. However, the memories of this championship are not entirely pleasant. There was commitment and contribution, yet the cameras and spotlight passed by him.

This may not be just a personal issue for Kim Min-jae but rather the result of a lack of communication with the club. Repeated exclusion without proper explanation or messaging diminishes the player's significance. In fact, there are analyses suggesting that Kim Min-jae's status within Bayern has declined compared to the beginning of the season. Since March, he has spent more time on the bench, and after a critical mistake in the UEFA Champions League, criticism has intensified.

However, Kim Min-jae's response to the crisis has always been consistent. He drew a line against malicious reactions by disabling comments on social media and pushed through injuries to play for the team. This was a textbook example of the attitude a player should show. Yet, the club's response has been cold.

Kim Min-jae is not simply a player absent due to injury. He is in the process of distancing himself from an iconic position within the team. If Bayern truly wishes to include him in their long-term plan, the current method of erasure is dangerous. Otherwise, Kim Min-jae may be wearing a different uniform next season.

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