Bayern Munich, which has secured the Bundesliga title. However, it has been difficult to find Kim Min-jae (29) in the midst of that celebration. Based solely on playing time, he was a key starter, but as the season progressed, he gradually faded into the shadow of the team.

Recently, Bayern Munich held a public training session with fans and club staff, sharing the joy of victory through the traditional "guard of honor" performance. At this event, where key players appeared with bright faces, Kim Min-jae was noticeably absent. The absence of a key defender who has played in 43 official matches this season and recorded the second-highest playing time among field players in the team cannot be taken lightly.

The issue is that this exclusion is happening repeatedly. In the official commemorative video released immediately after Bayern Munich's victory, Kim Min-jae was also left out, leading some fans to respond sharply with the question, "Is this racism?" The club later attempted to rectify this by replacing the image and addressing Kim Min-jae in a separate post, but this, too, sparked another controversy with the inaccurate phrase, "the first Korean to conquer the Bundesliga," given that Jung Woo-young has previously lifted the trophy with the same team.

Currently, Kim Min-jae has declared an early end to the season due to treatments for chronic pain in his Achilles and foot.

TZ reported, "Coach Kompany has excluded the remaining schedule of the season to ensure Kim Min-jae has sufficient recovery time."

However, fans' perspectives differ. Despite being injured, other players in similar conditions have all shown up at the training ground. The fact that Kim Min-jae is the only one absent, while Eric Dier, who has confirmed his transfer, and Alfonso Davies, who is also injured, participated in the event, is interpreted as not just an absence but as "distance." Reactions in online communities have followed, stating, "There are many points that cannot be explained by saying he is out due to injury," and "There are suspicions of a breakdown in communication with the club."

Kim Min-jae has played in 27 Bundesliga matches this season, logging 3,593 minutes. Notably, in the early part of the season, when the defense suffered a series of injuries, he pushed through to play full time in nearly every game. Reports indicated he played under painkillers, showcasing his dedication to the team. Nevertheless, his continued exclusion from commemorative photos and fan events at the season's end raises enough suspicion to imply "intentional distancing."

Florian Plettenberg from Germany's Sky Sports, familiar with the internal situation at Bayern Munich, recently reported, "Bayern Munich is maintaining a flexible stance regarding Kim Min-jae. If a proposal around €50 million (approximately 82 billion won) comes in, they may allow his transfer." Given the interest from big clubs like Chelsea, Newcastle, and Juventus, the possibility of a transfer this summer is certainly not low.

Kim Min-jae is a South Korean defender who has built an impressive career in a short time on the European stage. He led Napoli to a Serie A title and has this season won the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich. However, this second trophy feels somewhat lonely. His name may be recorded, but he is not receiving applause as the central figure at the pinnacle of victory.

In fact, in recent weeks, Kim Min-jae has been gradually disappearing from the team's official content. He has been excluded from the roster, and mentions on the club's social media have decreased. His name is absent from training, interviews, and events. It is ironic that he, who had devoted himself to the team throughout the season, has disappeared amidst the team's cheers.

The club has not provided any official explanation. However, it is increasingly interpreted locally that Kim Min-jae's significance is being reduced. There seems to be a prevailing atmosphere that his contributions, built up throughout the season, are quietly being erased, regardless of the player's own intentions.

The upcoming summer transfer window is expected to be a crucial turning point for Kim Min-jae. It is time to decide whether to prepare for a second season at Bayern Munich or to compete for a starting position in another arena. He remains a top-level defender coveted by big clubs in Europe. The important factor is his next choice.

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