‘Monster’ Kim Min-jae (27, Naples) is uncertain about participating in an A-match in June.
An official from Minjae Kim’s agency, Orange Ball, said on the 28th, “There is nothing set yet as the relevant agency has not notified a specific date yet.” While the convocation of the national team for the second A match is scheduled for the 12th, it is highly likely that the period will overlap if Kim Min-jae receives three weeks of training as an arts and sports agent that month. It is expected that it will not be easy to participate in the A-match in June. The national team, led by coach Jurgen Klinsmann, will play domestic evaluation matches against Peru on the 16th and El Salvador on the 20th during the A-match period in June. The Korea Football Association also said, “It would be nice to digest the A match and enter the office, but nothing has been decided yet. Coordination with the Military Manpower Administration and Kim Min-jae is under way.”
Kim Min-jae안전놀이터 received military service benefits as a member of the joint men’s soccer gold medal at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games. If he wins a gold medal in the Asian Games, he will serve as an arts and sports agent. He must complete basic military training and complete 544 hours of service while immersing himself in the sport for 34 months. An Orange Ball official said, “Kim Min-jae completed registration as an arts and sports agent in June of last year. Within a year after registration, he must receive three weeks of training.” “There were several conditions to register, including the fact that you had to live in Korea at the time of application. I applied (as an athlete) in early June of last year when I was in Korea due to ankle surgery and rehabilitation.”
Kim Min-jae originally planned to undergo military training in the winter of 2019, the year after the Asian Games, but delayed his enlistment at the request of the Korea Football Association ahead of the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship (East Asian Cup) held in December of that year. At that time, the national team led by coach Paulo Bento won the championship, and Kim Min-jae, who took the lead in scoring no goals in 3 games, was selected as the best defender of the tournament. Following this, Kim Min-jae had a schedule without time to breathe. In the summer of 2021, he left the Chinese Super League and moved to Turkiye’s Fenerbahce. In the summer of 2022, he moved to Napoli and also participated in the World Cup in Qatar.
He is also predicting a busy schedule this summer. Kim Min-jae is receiving love calls from big clubs while performing outstandingly in Naples. Napoli is about to win the league for the first time in 33 years thanks to Kim Min-jae’s performance. Man United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, etc. Truly huge clubs are keeping an eye on Kim Min-jae. As the buyout is triggered ahead of this summer, the possibility of a transfer is high. Even from Kim Min-jae’s point of view, military training must be resolved quickly, so that his range of maneuver can be widened. Whether he chooses to stay or transfer, he will be able to spend the pre-season fully, so preparation for the next season can also go smoothly.Kim Min-jae’s situation went strangely, and only director Klinsman got his appetite. On the 19th, coach Klinsman crossed Naples and met Kim Min-jae. The Korea Football Association (KFA) also posted a photo of coach Klinsman, Kim Min-jae, and Stringara coaches side by side with the sea in the background on social media. Kim Min-jae was a key point in Klinsmann’s trip to Europe this time. Kim Min-jae complained of his mental fatigue after the game against Uruguay on the 28th of last month. At the time, Kim Min-jae said, “It’s hard. Mentally, I’ve collapsed a lot. It’s soccer-wise. I’m thinking of focusing only on my team.” He was misrepresented by rumors of retirement from the national team, and once suffered measles. Afterwards, Kim Min-jae explained through SNS, but the wave continued. To make matters worse, rumors of a feud with Son Heung-min overlapped. Kim Min-jae unfollowed Son Heung-min’s account, and after that, Kim Min-jae had to post an apology once again.
The controversy was over, but Kim Min-jae eventually collapsed. Kim Min-jae, who showed defensive power like an iron castle after transferring to Naples, unfortunately, the Napoli defense that week bowed his head, conceding as many as 4 goals. It was the worst since I entered Italy. Fortunately, he returned to his original form after finding a flow, but the fact that ‘key defender’ Kim Min-jae was shaken psychologically is inevitably negative for Korean football. Manager Klinsman said, “It was quite nice to be able to meet Min-jae Kim with a little more time while he couldn’t play (due to the penalty for leaving). We had a meal together near where Min-jae Kim lived.” I did. I was quite (psychologically) stable. I said that I was looking forward to the next national team call.”
He continued, “Kim Min-jae is now in an unimaginable environment. He will lift the Scudetto soon.” I hope to have a good performance,” he cheered. However, due to his military training, his third encounter in his second A match is uncertain.