'The Wall' Kim Min-jae (29, Munich) might become the first Korean player to play for the Barcelona senior team.
German outlet TZ reported on the 12th that 'the possibility of Bayern Munich's Korean player Kim Min-jae transferring to Barcelona has rapidly risen. Kim Min-jae is likely to leave Munich this summer. Currently, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Saudi Arabia, and AC Milan are in a bidding war for Kim Min-jae.'
There has been no instance of a Korean player playing at one of the world's top clubs, Barcelona. Lee Seung-woo has played at the Barcelona youth team, Juvenil, and the senior team, Barcelona B. However, Lee Seung-woo did not reach the main stage with the Barcelona A team.
Currently, there is Lee Kang-in, who has played in La Liga. After going through the Valencia youth team, Lee Kang-in debuted in La Liga with the Valencia senior team in 2018. Lacking sufficient playing time, Lee Kang-in demanded a transfer. Eventually, he transferred to Mallorca in 2021 and played for two more years.
If Kim Min-jae goes to Barcelona, he will become the first Korean player to play for the Barcelona senior team. This will also be the first time a defender has played in La Liga.
Kim Min-jae has already succeeded in several leagues. After passing through Jeonbuk Hyundai and Beijing Guoan, Kim Min-jae made his debut on the European stage by signing with Fenerbahçe in 2021. Armed with physicality and sensibility that surpasses Tongyang individuals, Kim Min-jae immediately dominated the Turkish stage.
The major leagues in Europe could not stop Kim Min-jae. He joined Napoli in 2022 and promptly led the team to its first Serie A victory in 33 years. In the 2022-23 season, Kim Min-jae was awarded the best defender in Serie A and was selected for the team of the year.
After dominating Italy, Kim Min-jae joined Bayern Munich in 2023, challenging in the Bundesliga. In his first season, Kim Min-jae did not gain the trust of head coach Thomas Tuchel and was pushed to the bench. In the 2024-25 season, with full support from head coach Vincent Kompany, Kim Min-jae solidified his position as a starter, contributing to Munich's Bundesliga championship.
If Kim Min-jae, who has already won in Italy and Germany, transfers to Barcelona, he will have the opportunity to conquer La Liga as well. What was once imagined only in comics is becoming a reality.
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