Top 10 South Korean Footballers in History | Ranked

South Korea has produced many talented footballers over the years, known for their discipline and work ethic. Although the nation has only won two Asian Cups, with the last victory dating back to 1960, their players have continuously impressed on big stages. This list ranks the top 10 South Korean footballers, blending legends of the past with current stars.

Ranking List

• 10. Seol Ki-hyeon - 82 international caps
• 9. Hwang Sun Hong - 103 international caps
• 8. Lee Dong-gook - 104 international caps
• 7. Ki Sung-Yueng - 110 international caps
• 6. Lee Young-pyo - 127 international caps
• 5. Myung-bo Hong - 136 international caps
• 4. Kim Min-jae - 63 international caps
• 3. Park Ji-sung - 100 international caps
• 2. Cha Bum-kun - 136 international caps
• 1. Son Heung-min - 127 international caps

10. Seol Ki-hyeon

A winger with over 82 appearances for South Korea since 2000, Seol Ki-hyeon featured in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. In 2002, he helped the team reach the semi-finals. His club career includes stints at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Reading, and Fulham in Europe. He remains one of South Korea’s finest footballers.

9. Hwang Sun Hong

Hwang Sun Hong was a classic striker who earned over 100 caps and scored 50 goals, making him the second highest scorer in South Korean history. He played for Bayer Leverkusen, Pohang Steelers, and Cerezo Osaka. His impact on South Korean football is still highly regarded.

8. Lee Dong-gook

Nicknamed the "lazy genius," Lee Dong-gook had a long career from 1998 to 2017. He scored 33 goals internationally in over 100 appearances and amassed more than 243 goals across 600 club games. After a brief time at Middlesbrough, he revitalized his career with Seongnam for 11 years.

7. Ki Sung-Yueng

Ki Sung-Yueng made 110 appearances for South Korea and played over 531 club matches. His European clubs included Celtic, Swansea, Sunderland, and Newcastle United. He was part of the Swansea squad that won the League Cup in 2013, standing out as a reliable midfielder.

6. Lee Young-pyo

Lee Young-pyo debuted internationally in 1999 and earned 127 caps before retiring in 2011. Known for his versatility in defense, he played over 417 club matches including for PSV and Tottenham Hotspur. Lee ranks seventh in South Korean history for international caps.

5. Myung-bo Hong

Myung-bo Hong was praised by Pelé and included in the FIFA 100 list. Nicknamed the "Eternal Libero," he was the first Asian player to appear in four consecutive World Cups. With 136 international caps and over 330 club appearances, he was a key defender throughout his career, finishing at LA Galaxy.

4. Kim Min-jae

Currently a standout defender in Europe, Kim Min-jae plays for Bayern Munich after a spell at Napoli. Since his international debut in 2017, he has appeared in 63 matches, including the 2022 World Cup and the 2018 Asian Games gold medal-winning team. With over 250 club appearances, he is considered among South Korea's best defenders ever.

3. Park Ji-sung

Park Ji-sung rose to prominence with PSV before joining Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning four Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League. He earned 100 caps and represented South Korea in three World Cups. Park was known for his consistency and clutch performances.

2. Cha Bum-kun

Cha Bum-kun holds the record for the most international caps in South Korea’s history with 136 appearances and 58 goals. His career spanned from 1972 to 1986. Sir Alex Ferguson described him as unstoppable. Cha is remembered as one of the greatest South Korean footballers ever.

1. Son Heung-min

Son Heung-min is widely recognized as the best South Korean footballer ever. Since joining Tottenham Hotspur in 2015, he has played over 400 games and captained the team. Son combines speed, dribbling, vision, and finishing. His solo goal against Burnley remains iconic. Respected for his skill and leadership, he is a global star and national hero.