Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae has completely quelled his negative assessment of himself with his skills. This is because he piled up criticism against himself with poison in his heart and exploded with energy on the ground.
Kim Min-jae, who was evaluated as the Munich club's #1 selling until just before the opening of the season, reversed his assessment in just two games. Now, he is mentioned as the main center back again. This is because he was selected as one of the best players in the entire league.
German soccer media Kicker announced the fourth round of the 2025-2026 Bundesliga on the 22nd (Korea time). It can be considered to be the best 11 of the week, and Kim Min-jae was selected as a defender here. He joined his team-mate striker Harry Kane in this week's squad.
Kim Min-jae is the first Munich center back to be selected as a kicker this season. This is thanks to Kim Min-jae's tremendous performance against Hoffenheim on the 20th.
Kim Min-jae started in the fourth round of the Bundesliga in the 2025-2026 season against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at the Free Zero Arena in Jinsheim, Germany. It was his first chance to start this season. Kim Min-jae played right center back in the 4-2-3-1 formation. On the left, Jonathan Ta, recruited by Munich ahead of this season, was placed to work with Kim Min-jae.
It was a chance that came back from the edge of the cliff. Ahead of this season, 'Kim Min-jae's theory of uselessness' arose sharply. There was also criticism from the local community that Kim Min-jae should be sold quickly. He seemed to have forgotten all of his commitments last season, ranking second in the team's playing time. Only the last part of last season, which was sluggish due to the aftermath of the injury, was highlighted. When the Italian Serie A club showed interest in Kim Min-jae, some suggested that Munich should hurry to sell it.
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Even the German media Avent Zeitung ranked Kim Min-jae just a week ago only 4th among the Munich centerback resources. Kim Min-jae shook, "I haven't been able to show my overwhelming defense ability when I was in Naples in the past." According to the media, Kim Min-jae is in the lower ranks of Yonatanta, Dayo Upamecano, and Stanisic.
However, Kim Min-jae made these evaluations into a `nonsense' after just one game against Hoffenheim. It's because of his great performance. On this day, Kim Min-jae threw his whole body to prevent the opponent's attack. He crushed Hoffenheim's decisive chances several times, including a super save that saved his own goal. Before being replaced by left calf pain in the 24th minute of the second half, Kim Min-jae played the role of 'Wailing Wall'.
In the end, Kim Min-jae received the second highest rating after Kane, who scored a hat trick on the day. Football statistics company Footmob gave Kim Min-jae a 7.9 rating. This is the second highest score for both teams. Kim Min-jae performed outstandingly throughout the defense, with a 94% pass success rate, one tackle success, six clearing, three header clearings, and six recovery.
Kim Min-jae was also substituted in the first Champions League game against Chelsea, showing excellent defensive control. Then, in the match against Hoffenheim, he started and stood tall with an iron pillar and was selected as the team of the week. Kim Min-jae's performance in two games was at the top of the league. Now, Coach Ben Sang Kompany has no choice but to think again about the composition of the team's center back.
Avent Zeitung, who downplayed Kim Min-jae as a `fourth-ranked option' a week ago, praised Kim Min-jae as the `Team of the Week'```. Now Kim Min-jae is back as a key player for Munich. It is highly likely that this evaluation will be maintained for the time being.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
