The European Champions League (UCL) is a stage for the stars. It brings together the world’s best managers and players to put on a soccer show. Many experts say that the level of competition is higher than national competitions such as the European Championship and the World Cup.
Five Korean players will be competing in this event. “Monster” Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), “New Parisian” Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Hwang In-beom (Tsubena Zvezda), Oh Hyun-kyu, and Yang Hyun-joon (Celtic) have been named to the roster for the UCL group stage of the 2023-2024 season, which begins this month.
Five South Korean players in the UCL in a single season is the most ever. It surpasses the four in the 2003-2004 season, when Park Ji-sung, Lee Young-pyo (then PSV), Seol Ki-hyun (Anderlecht) and Lee Chung-soo (Sociedad) were part of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup final four. Since then, starting with Seol Ki-hyun, the first Korean UCL player, Song Jong-guk, Ki Sung-yong, Chaduri, Park Joo-young, Son Heung-min, Hwang Hee-chan, Jung Woo-young, Lee Kang-in, Kim Min-jae, Oh Hyun-gyu, and others have challenged for the UCL stage.
After moving to Munich from Napoli, Kim was drawn in Group A with Manchester United Copenhagen Galatasaray. The main attraction will be the meeting with Man United, who have shown interest in signing Kim. Lee Kang-in, who is returning to the ‘Stage of Stars’ after a four-year absence, will have to navigate the ‘Group of Death’ with Borussia Dortmund AC Milan Newcastle.
After playing in the Europa Conference with Rubinkazan in Russia and the Europa League with 카지노 Olympiakos in Greece, Hwang moved to Zvezda to challenge for the UCL. He will make his UCL debut against Man City on September 20, coincidentally his 27th birthday.
Yang Hyun-jun is also close to making his UCL debut. Midfielder Kwon Hyuk-kyu, Yang’s motivation for joining the club, was not included in the UCL group stage squad. Son Heung-min is taking a break from European club competition this season after finishing eighth in the league last season.