Min-jae Kim (29, Bayern Munich) is gradually losing his presence, despite being a key defender for the Bundesliga champions. It is interpreted that this is not merely an injury, but a growing distance from Bayern Munich.
Recently, Bayern Munich held an open training session to celebrate their Bundesliga victory. At this event, attended by fans and staff, coaching staff and players entered to applause, following the symbolic tradition known as 'Guard of Honor' and this moment was shared via video on the club's official channel. However, there was no sight of Min-jae Kim.
At the event, key players such as Harry Kane, Thomas Müller, and Eric Dier appeared with various expressions, and players who are on the verge of transfers also attended without exception. In contrast, Min-jae Kim, who played in 43 official matches this season and recorded the second-most playing time among field players in the team, did not show up at the training ground.
In fact, this 'atmosphere of exclusion' is not new. Even in the official victory celebration video released immediately after Bayern Munich secured the league title, Min-jae Kim was excluded from the thumbnail image. This video was shared in real time with fans worldwide, sparking controversy among fans. Some fans reacted by asking, 'Isn't this racism?'
Subsequently, the club replaced the image to manage the situation and highlighted Min-jae Kim in a separate congratulatory post the next day. However, even then, it was accompanied by the description 'the first Korean to conquer the Bundesliga with Bayern,' leading to new criticism for disregarding Jeong Woo-young's previous record (2018-2019 season).
Min-jae Kim is currently sidelined early in the season for injury treatment. He has been suffering from chronic pain in his Achilles and foot, and the club decided to exclude him from the remaining matches in preparation for the Club World Cup and A-match schedule in June. TZ reported that 'Manager Vincent Kompany took proactive measures to give Min-jae Kim recovery time.'
However, the perspective of fans is quite different. The open training is an important event that reveals the club culture, not just a simple game preparation. With the injured Alphonso Davies and the transferred Eric Dier present, Min-jae Kim's absence is read as more than just a non-appearance. Fans couldn't hide their bitterness, saying, 'It's too much to miss due to injury.'
As such circumstances accumulate, speculation is emerging that there may be a subtle temperature difference between Min-jae Kim and Bayern Munich. Interpretations suggest that it is not just a scheduling adjustment, but that Min-jae Kim is gradually losing importance within the club.
Min-jae Kim has participated in 27 Bundesliga matches this season, serving as a cornerstone of the defense with a total playing time of 3,593 minutes. Particularly in the early season, when many defenders were sidelined with injuries, Min-jae Kim performed almost full-time in every game, and it has come to light that he played while taking painkillers, drawing attention to his dedication.
Nevertheless, it's hard to see the repeated absence of his presence in season-ending photos, fan events, and training videos as mere coincidence. Concerns are growing that there may be a communication breakdown.
In fact, within Bayern Munich, a flexible atmosphere regarding his future regarding transfers is also being sensed. Florian Plettenberg of German Sky Sports reported that 'Bayern would consider a transfer for Min-jae Kim if an offer around 50 million euros (82 billion won) comes in.' Big clubs such as Chelsea, Newcastle, and Juventus are showing interest in him.
Min-jae Kim is one of the few Korean players to experience championships in both Serie A and the Bundesliga. However, behind his trophies this season are scenes where he did not receive applause. Despite his dedication in numerous matches, Min-jae Kim's current situation, isolated at the peak of victory, leaves a complicated aftertaste.
[OSEN]