Am I Retiring? "False Rumors" Disappointed Min Sang-ki "It hurt me a lot" ····"A year when we risk everything in Gwangju."
Am I Retiring? "False Rumors" Disappointed Min Sang-ki "It hurt me a lot" ····"A year when we risk everything in Gwangju."
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"Sang Gi, are you retiring?"
Min Sang-ki (33, Gwangju FC) heard this from his agent late last year.
Min was puzzled. This is why he has never thought about retiring.
Min Sang-ki said, "The agent was surprised and asked," adding, "I was embarrassed because I had never thought about retiring."
"I wanted to prove my competitiveness once again after the last season," Min said. "When I heard rumors of my retirement, which I didn't even know, it hurt me a lot."
Min Sang-ki left Pohang Steelers after last season and wore a Gwangju uniform.
Min Sang-ki had a lot of worries before choosing Gwangju. Min Sang-ki recalled the time like this.
"I had a lot of worries. I'm not that old. It's true that I have to think about my second life little by little. It was also a frustrating time for me."
Gwangju coach Lee Jung-hyo reached out to Min Sang-ki.
Min Sang-ki clenched his teeth and went to winter training.
Was it because he poured everything from the training site? Min has captured the hearts of coach Lee Jung-hyo.
Min Sang-ki played full-time from the match against Suwon FC on February 15, Gwangju's first K League 1 game of this season.
"I felt like I melted into the team at the opening game," Min said with a smile. "After the opening game, I felt comfortable." Min expressed his gratitude to coach Lee Jung-hyo.
"Coach Lee Jung-hyo's soccer has always been attractive. I'm thankful that I can be with the best coach in Korea. Especially, my wife is an old fan of the coach. My wife enjoys watching YouTube shorts and I often watch Lee Jung-hyo's videos. When I said I was heading to Gwangju, my wife was really happy. I think I liked it even more because my family was happy."
Min added, "Football is definitely different. Soccer is fun. I wonder how detailed the training can be. The coach points out every step of the way from the touch on the cheek to the posture. When he receives the ball, he even positions both feet. When I see the coach, I often think that he is someone who lives crazy about soccer. Coach Lee Jung-hyo is a person who lives every day by risking everything in soccer. He said, "The coach works as hard as I do for the team, but the players have no choice but to follow him."
Min made his professional debut wearing the Suwon Samsung uniform in the 2010 season. He also wore the captain's armband in Suwon in the 2022 season.
Min Sang-ki has a lot of experience. There are several players in their early and mid-20s in Gwangju. Min Sang-ki's experience can be of great help to Gwangju's growth.
Min shook his head.
"I have to learn from Gwangju players," Min Sang-ki said after laughing, "They are players who have encountered good soccer and advanced soccer before me."
Min Sang-ki continued, "There are a lot of players that I learned from coach Lee Jung-hyo before me. Although I am a veteran, it is my first time to play soccer with coach Lee Jung-hyo. There are many things I have never encountered before. Of course, I try to do whatever I can to help my teammates both inside and outside the ground. If there is a wish, I want to be a player who can give stability just by existence. That's why I am paying more attention to words and actions."
Min Sang-ki is playing in all three K League 1 games played by Gwangju this season.
Min Sang-ki also played in both the first and second legs of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) round of 16 against Vissel Kobe (Japan) in the 2024-25 season, contributing to the team's new history.
Gwangju lost 0-2 in the first round of the ACLE round of 16 at an away match in Kobe on Saturday. Gwangju won 3-0 in the second round of the ACLE round of 16 at home on Sunday, and successfully advanced to the quarterfinals.
Gwangju is set to challenge for the semifinals beyond Korea's only advance to the round of 16 ACLE this season.
Min Sang-ki does not look far away from the moment he joined Gwangju.
"I want to continue to help the team without getting hurt rather than big goals or aspirations," Min Sang-ki said. "One year, one year is really precious to me."
"I am putting everything into every game with the determination that it is the last game. Participating in a match is a very precious opportunity for me. I want to not be ashamed of myself. I will sweat more so as not to be ashamed of my family, acquaintances and fans who support and love me. Like Coach Lee Jung-hyo, I will put everything on the line in every game. That is the only way I can repay the fans and the club that gave me the opportunity." 바카라사이트
Min Sang-ki said this last time.
"Football has become more interesting. As I learn new things and challenge myself to new things, I feel like I'm changing without realizing it. It's amazing."