 |
| photo capture=Bayern YouTube |
|
 |
| Photo capture=Bundesliga YouTube |
|
Is it really racism.
Bayern Munich and Bundesliga turned away from 'monster' Bayern won the Bundesliga in the 2024-2025 season. Bayern (76 points), which failed to win on its own with a 3-3 draw in Leipzig in the 32nd round, tied second place Leverkusen (68 points) with Freiburg 2-2, maintaining the difference in points to eight points, securing the championship regardless of the remaining two games. Bayern, which missed the top last season and failed to win 12 consecutive games, regained the top again this season and won its 34th career championship.
Kim Min-jae was in the center. Kim Min-jae, who left Naples for 50 million euros in the summer of 2023 and wore a Bayern uniform, became the main player in Bayern's victory with a strong performance this season beyond the first season when there were some ups and downs. Kim Min-jae, who has wings in a new tactic to raise the line closely and defend aggressively, was trusted by head coach Bang Sang-Kompany. Dayo Upamecano and kept the center solid. Amid a series of injuries including Upamecano, Ito Hiroki and Alfonso Davis, it became the support of the defense line.
Before being shaken by injury, he actually played full-time. He played 27 games, contributing significantly to Bayern's minimum league goals. Since the middle of the season, he has been suffering from sore throat and back pain as well as Achilles tendon inflammation, but he has consistently played and kept the defense line. It was an icon of abuse. Although the number of mistakes increased due to injuries and was intensively saturated by the German media, Kim Min-jae's performance was not different. Kim Min-jae also became a champion in Germany amid a tearful fighting spirit. Kim Min-jae became the first Korean player to win the top two Euros leagues, following Italy's Serie A and the Bundesliga.
However, a ridiculous controversy arose right now when the excitement of the victory was in full swing. Bayern brought home the trophy on the club's YouTube channel' posted a commemorative video. The thumbnail of the video included all the main players who led the team to the championship this season. Surprisingly, there was no face of Kim Min-jae. Even if the performance was subjective, the player who played the second most time was excluded. Thomas Müller, Manuel Neuerya, is a sign of the club, so even if I understand, I don't understand that he was not among the 10 Bayern players this season. There was Upamecano, who suffered from frequent injuries.
Even the photo has already been posted on the official SNS since the Bayern victory. It is also posted on the official website of Bavaria as a representative photo. The photos summarized by some players here were used as thumbnails, except for Kim Min-jae among the main players. The fans reacted sharply. In particular, there was strong opposition from Korean fans. Kim Min-jae was already frequently attacked by the German media and suspected of being "racist", but the club came forward to raise the suspicion. In the end, Bayern modified the thumbnail later. He was afraid that it would be suspected of being an intentional act if only Kim Min-jae put it in, so he replaced many players with thumbnails that included them.
This is not the only one. Kim Min-jae was also absent from the official Bundesliga YouTube video. The video, which produced and uploaded an animated song commemorating Bayern's victory, depicted the Bayern team, but Kim Min-jae's face was not seen here. It even included Eric Dier, who only played at the end of the season. There was also a concatenator. The fact that Kim Min-jae was not among the 13 people has no choice but to doubt the intention.
Some say that in the background of such controversy, `because Kim Min-jae can leave Bayern at the end of this season.' Florian Plattenberg, dubbed Bayern 1st tier journalist, posted on his SNS page 'Bayern could sell Kim Min-jae this summer if an appropriate offer comesRumors of a transfer were sparked by posting '. Chelsea, Newcastle, Manchester United, Juventus of Italy, and Saudi Arabian clubs in the English Premier League are showing interest in Kim Min-jae, who still shows attractive defense. Of course, Kim Min-jae wants to remain in the team and perform more", dismissing the transfer rumor.
However, this interpretation is not convincing. Dier is likely to transfer to AS Monaco in French Ligue 1. The problem itself is that there is a rumor of a transfer and dilutes the contribution of the players. The controversy is close to the result of a misconception that European football has about non-Western players. Kim Min-jae battled biased perceptions throughout the season. Of course, Coach Kompany actively defended it, but he often received poor ratings despite playing well. This is why it is difficult to see it as a simple happening.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
