With Bayern Munich's official announcement, Kim Min-jae is back in the spotlight. He has been selected as the model for the new season's uniform.
Bayern Munich unveiled the 2024-2025 season home uniform on the 10th (Korea time). This uniform, produced in collaboration with Adidas, is primarily based on the traditional colors of red and white, featuring an 'M' design on the front to visually represent its identity.
Bayern Munich noted, "We have captured history and a sense of belonging," and added, "It is scheduled to be first worn against Auckland City at the FIFA Club World Cup on June 16th."
However, what caught public attention was not the uniform itself but the model. Kim Min-jae, who participated in the official photo shoot, was the focal point of interest. His appearance in the new uniform, amid recent transfer rumors, has left fans confused. It is unusual for a player targeted for release to be the model for the new season's uniform.
Kim Min-jae played a total of 43 matches for Bayern last season, performing as a starting defender. He started in all 27 Bundesliga matches, logging over 2,289 minutes and playing a key role in the defense. Based on his performance, Bayern regained the league title that they had lost to Bayer Leverkusen. He thus became the first Asian player to experience league championships in both Italy and Germany. This is an achievement that Son Heung-min, Park Ji-sung, and Cha Bum-kun could not accomplish. However, Bayern Munich's actions seem strange.
Football365 reported on the 10th that "Bayern Munich has made a counteroffer for Kim Min-jae to Premier League clubs." Football365 stated, "Bayern Munich is actively marketing Kim Min-jae to several teams, including Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle, and Manchester City. Especially if Son Heung-min remains, the possibility of a transfer to Tottenham cannot be ruled out."
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), AC Milan, and several clubs in Saudi Arabia are also keeping an eye on Kim Min-jae's situation. Kim Min-jae himself has mentioned that moving to the Premier League is a long-term goal, making a move to England a realistic option.
Sport reported last month that "Kim Min-jae received a notice of release from the club a few weeks ago." Subsequent local reports indicated that Kim Min-jae's transfer is moving beyond mere speculation into concrete actions.
The decision regarding Kim Min-jae carries significance beyond a simple tactical shift. Throughout the season, Kim Min-jae has struggled with injuries. After the match against Eintracht Frankfurt, he faced issues with his ankle and Achilles tendon, leading to fluctuating performance levels, and in the latter half of the season, he participated in matches while receiving painkillers. Additionally, he made errors that allowed goals during the 'Der Klassiker' against Dortmund and made mistakes in crucial moments during the UEFA Champions League match against Inter Milan. Bayern Munich appears to have decided on his release due to these uncertainties.
However, Bayern Munich has chosen Kim Min-jae as a model for the uniform. There are several interpretations possible. Firstly, Kim Min-jae is set to participate in the Club World Cup, which may be a sufficient reason for him being selected as a model.
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