How has Kim Min-jae's (28, Bayern Munich) physical condition been assessed, literally?

The influential German newspaper 'Bild' reported on the 3rd (Korea time) that "Kim Min-jae's recovery status is not as good as the club's expectations. Results from a detailed examination in Korea indicated that absolute rest is necessary until mid-July."

Bayern Munich will play in Group C of the FIFA Club World Cup beginning June 16 against Auckland City (New Zealand), Boca Juniors (Argentina), and Benfica (Portugal). There is a very high possibility that Kim Min-jae will not travel with the team. In fact, Korean media had reported on Kim Min-jae's physical condition in previous interviews.

Kim Min-jae played a total of 43 games and 3,593 minutes across all competitions in the 2024-2025 season. This was the highest playing time among Bayern defenders. The first signs of trouble with his Achilles tendon were detected in October of last year, but as injuries piled up within the team, he had to endure until the end.

As key defenders such as Dayot Upamecano, Hiroki Ito, and Alphonso Davies gradually dropped out, Kim Min-jae effectively sustained the defensive line by himself, coping with an almost excessive playing schedule. Coach Vincent Kompany utilized him until the end, allowing rest only after the league title was secured early.

However, despite this overuse, Bayern criticized Kim Min-jae for his poor performance in the UEFA Champions League and others. Literally, they did not consider the injuries or physical condition of a player who sacrificed himself for the team. This attitude has drawn criticism from the German media as well.

Furthermore, with the season ending now, Kim Min-jae's name is back in the headlines alongside transfer rumors. Bayern acquired Bayer Leverkusen's starting defender Jonathan Tah (29) last month. As a result, Kim Min-jae's standing is rapidly shaking. Transfermarkt has excluded Kim Min-jae from the 'predicted best XI for Bayern in the 2025-2026 season' and deployed a Tah-Upamecano center-back combination.

Local media have reported that Kim Min-jae is on the release list for the upcoming summer transfer market. Christian Falk and Tobias Altscharpl from Bild noted that "internally, the club believes Kim Min-jae's performance has not met expectations. He has been classified as a sale target."

The teams showing the most active interest in Kim Min-jae's future are Juventus and Inter Milan from Serie A. Particularly, Juventus' push for his return is strengthened as Director General Cristiano Giuntoli, who brought Kim Min-jae during his tenure at Napoli, is leading the effort. After acquiring Kim Min-jae in 2022, Napoli lifted the Scudetto for the first time in 33 years, thanks to his defensive skills. Giuntoli hopes for a strong return based on that successful experience.

Kim Min-jae is also keeping his options open regarding a transfer. Bild stated, "He has faced fierce criticism throughout the season, and if the situation does not change, he will consider a transfer if an attractive offer comes in."

In this situation, revelations that Bayern has overused Kim Min-jae are once again heart-wrenching. Bild reported, "Kim Min-jae's condition could impact the preseason, and from Vincent Kompany's perspective, the absence of a key defensive player could be painful."

According to this outlet, Kim Min-jae is in a situation where, in addition to left Achilles tendon inflammation, a nodular mass (cyst) in the ankle area has further complicated the uncertainty of his recovery time. In fact, synthesizing prior reports, Kim Min-jae has struggled with the effects of the Achilles tendon even while pushing himself to play despite the inflammation in the left Achilles tendon.

Compounded with the formation of the cyst, he has literally entered the offseason in the worst physical condition. Ultimately, the player's condition is primarily a problem of Bayern's misjudgment. Whether due to medical staff issues or coaching staff disregarding the player's condition for the sake of winning, it has caused great harm to the player.

As a result, Kim Min-jae was early excluded from the roster for the national team A match in June and the possibility of participating in the FIFA Club World Cup starting on the 13th is virtually gone. In many ways, Bayern, known as Germany's top prestigious club, is showing the end of a chaotic journey.

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