Four Korean players, including Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur), Cho Kyu-seong (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Kim Min-jae (Napoli), and Kim Young-kwon (Ulsan Hyundai), were included in the nominations for the best Asian player award. 메이저놀이터
Chinese sports media ‘Titanzhoubao’ (Titan Sports), which hosts the ‘Best Footballer in Asia’ awards ceremony, called ‘Asia’s Ballon d’Or’, announced the 25 candidates on the 30th.
This award was created in 2013 with the idea of the Ballon d’Or, which is awarded to the best player in the world by the French football media ‘French Football’, and is awarded to players who are active in countries or teams belonging to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
In Korea, four players, including Son Heung-min, were nominated. Japan has the most seven candidates, including Endo Wataru (Stuttgart) and Furuhashi Kyōgo (Celtic). In addition, Iran’s Mehdi Taremi (Porto), Vietnam’s Nguyen Thien Linh (Binh Doong), and Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo (Al-Hilal) were also on the shortlist.
Son Heung-min, who has won the award for five consecutive years from 2017 to 2021, is considered the most likely candidate this time too. Heung-Min Son, who recorded the most awards (7 times) and the most consecutive awards (5 times), scored 23 goals in the English Premier League last season and became the first Asian player to become the top scorer.
Titan Zhoubao, who unveiled 25 candidates, evaluated Son Heung-min as “He played a big role in 2022 as he did in the past five years. He is well qualified to win the award.” However, he said, “Recently, there were times when I couldn’t show my skills due to injuries,” and pinched the offensive indicators that were lower than last season due to an orbital fracture injury.
Regarding Cho Kyu-seong, the media said, “We will never forget this handsome Korean player. He is the first East Asian player to score multiple goals in a World Cup game.” Reminds me of the recorded scene.
Meanwhile, the winner of the ‘Best Footballer in Asia 2022’ will be announced in February.