‘First Taegeuk Mark at age 33’ Joo Min-gyu “I put my Head Down and Earnestly think of Myself as the Youngest”

“I’m proud of myself for not giving up even though I had a lot of injuries… I hope other players have hope too.”

‘Late blooming flowers are more beautiful’ is the phrase of a banner hung in the stands of Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium on the 12th, when the second leg of the 2023-2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) quarterfinals was held between Ulsan HD and Jeonbuk Hyundai.

It was a celebration of striker Joo Min-gyu and fullback Lee Myung-jae, who were included in the national team roster for the March international match announced the day before. 카지노사이트위키

In particular, The cheers for Joo Min-gyu, who was the top scorer in the 2021 and 2023 seasons and was the best striker in the K-League in recent years, has been on the list of targets many times, but was ignored repeatedly, and was the first to wear the Taegeuk symbol.

Joo Min-gyu is 33 years and 333 days old as of the date of announcement, making him the oldest player in history to be selected for the national team for the first time.

Joo Min-gyu, who had calmly reserved words on the day of the announcement ahead of the important match against Jeonbuk despite the big situation, smiled brightly only after playing as a starter and playing on the pitch until the 42nd minute of the second half in front of interim coach Hwang Sun-hong, who visited the site that day.

Joo Min-gyu said, "It took a very long time.

I got hurt a lot during that time, and there were moments when I wanted to give up, but I prepared for several seasons and persevered until the end, and I'm really happy that it bore fruit.

I'm proud of myself for not giving up." revealed.

“I try to feel good about my wife, who teases me by calling me ‘older brother,’ but says, ‘After all, you’re number one, right?’” he said with a smile, adding, “It would have been nice if I had joined the national team when I was younger, but I think I wasn’t good enough back then.

“I’m grateful just to be able to enter at this age,”

Joo Min-gyu continued, “The fans have wanted me to make the national team more than anyone else, and I was able to endure thanks to the support I received from not only our team but also the fans who love the K-League.

"He also said, "Thank you very much."

Coach Hwang Seon-hong, who was a leading striker for the national team during his active years, was asked about Joo Min-gyu at the press conference announcing the national team list, and said, "There is no player who has scored more than 50 goals in the league over the past three years.

He added, “There is no need for further explanation.”

Regarding this, Joo Min-gyu said, "I had been wondering what more I could do to get into the national team, but I had a lot of disappointments and lost confidence, but I was very happy to see the coach's words in an article and receive recognition," and "I achieved my dream because I did not give up.

“I hope other players also have hope,” he emphasized.

When Joo Min-gyu plays in the third round of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup Asia 2nd qualifier against Thailand held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 21st, he will also set the record for the oldest international match debut (33 years, 343 days).

In order to participate, adapting to the national team atmosphere is a priority.

Joo Min-gyu said emphatically, “Thinking of myself as the youngest member, I plan to ‘put my head down’ and work hard, really earnestly.”

He then looked forward to meeting world-class striker Son Heung-min (Tottenham), saying, "Isn't he the best player in the world?

It's short, but I plan to stick around and learn his strengths during that time."

Regarding being coached by Coach Hwang, Joo Min-gyu expressed his excitement, saying, "I am looking forward to it and consider it an honor.

I want to learn the skills and know-how of how he scored so many goals."