South Korean national soccer team’s key defender Kim Min-jae (26, Naples) apologized for his remarks that caused a ‘retirement controversy’. At the same time, he explained that the meaning that he was difficult was misrepresented, and that he never took the Taegeuk mark lightly.
On the 29th, Kim Min-jae said on his social network service (SNS), “When I was listed on the national team list and when I started playing in the national team game, I never took it for granted.” I became a player who took everything lightly, such as weight, etc. I was feeling a lot of pressure in the situation where the weight of the national team was getting bigger and bigger, and the story that I collapsed mentally was the burden on the pitch, the responsibility to always do well, and as a defender. I wanted to tell you the disappointment when I lost a goal, and that these things were difficult.”
Previously, Kim Min-jae met with reporters in the joint coverage area (Mixed Zone) right after the friendly match against Uruguay held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 28th and said, “It’s a little difficult right now. I’m mentally broken.” I want to focus. I want to focus on my team rather than the national team,” he said.
In particular, while repeatedly saying that it was physically and mentally difficult, Kim Min-jae repeatedly emphasized that he would leave the national team behind and focus only on his team. Furthermore, he confessed that he was in the process of coordinating while talking specifically with the Korea Football Association (KFA).
Controversy arose as multiple media interpreted Kim Min-jae’s interview as suggesting retirement from the national team and reported one after another. The soccer world was shocked, and some fans criticized the Taegeuk mark for taking it too lightly. As the contents of the interview quickly spread not only in Korea but also abroad, the issue grew.
In the end, Kim Min-jae started to explain through social media when the criticism was strong and the controversy did not easily subside. He said, “I am receiving a lot of love, and I am well aware that I am a blessed player now, and I think it is a part that I have to overcome.” I apologize once again to the fans and players who may have been disappointed with what I couldn’t do.”
Below is the full text of Kim Min-jae’s social network service (SNS) statement.
First of all, I apologize to the players and fans who must have been surprised by my remarks. The meaning of hardship is misrepresented, so I am posting this.
I never took it for granted when I did not give my best while playing the national team, or when I was named on the national team list and started as a starter in the national team game. There is no game that I did not work hard for because it was difficult. I gave everything and ran to my death.
Because of yesterday’s interview, the 49 matches I played wearing the Taegeuk mark were gone, and I became a player who doesn’t know the meaning, weight, and everything of the Taegeuk mark and thinks lightly. I was in a state where I was feeling a lot of pressure in a situation where my weight was getting bigger in the national team, which I had just enjoyed, and the story that I was mentally collapsed was the pressure on the pitch, the responsibility that I always have to do well, the disappointment when I lost a goal as a defender, and that these things were difficult. I wanted to make a point.
I am receiving a lot of love,메이저놀이터 and I am well aware that I am a blessed player, and I think it is something I have to overcome. Please understand that all parts have become mentally problematic in a short period of time, and I apologize once again to the fans and players who must have been disappointed for not being prudent and not mature enough as a representative player.
Thank you to the fans who always support the national team and come to the field.