Asia ends Champions League thirst after 17 years

It has been a long time since an Asian player has won the Champions League. That will change after this year's final.

17 years after Park Ji Sung's coronation, Asia has another player winning the Champions League - Photo: AFP

Both teams participating in the upcoming Champions League final, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), have at least one Asian player.

The player who made Sir Alex regret

In the past, only one Asian player has ever won the Champions League. That was the case of Korean midfielder Park Ji Sung, when he won the title with Manchester United in 2008.

That season, the player born in 1981 missed the entire group stage due to injury. In the round of 16, Park Ji Sung was not used by coach Alex Ferguson in the two away and home matches against Lyon. However, in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, he played the full 90 minutes in all four matches against AS Roma and Barcelona respectively.

With his diligence and abundant physical strength, he left important contributions on Man United's journey to the final. A place in the championship match against Chelsea is almost in Park Ji Sung's hands.

But in the end, coach Alex Ferguson removed the Korean star from the squad. Although it was a controversial decision, Man United still overcame their opponents on penalties to win the title.

Thanks to his previous appearances, Park Ji Sung was recognized as a champion and became the first Asian player to win the Champions League.

Later, Sir Alex himself had to admit that he felt regretful for eliminating Park from the final that year.

In 2011, the Korean football legend fulfilled his dream of playing in a final. However, against a powerful Barcelona with Messi on the field and Pep Guardiola in the coaching chair, Man United was completely defeated.

However, until now, Park Ji Sung is still the only Asian player to have won the Champions League.

Who will follow Park Ji Sung?

Park Ji Sung's compatriot Lee Kang In is eligible for a Champions League medal this year - Photo: YONHAP

After the Korean legend, in 2019, there was another Asian player who participated in a Champions League final. That was Son Heung Min, Park's compatriot.

But unlike his seniors, the Tottenham player could not step onto the podium after losing to Liverpool. It was not until this year, 17 years after Park Ji Sung won the title, that another Asian player got his hands on the Champions League title.

That is because this year's PSG squad includes Korean player Lee Kang In. He has played 11 times in the European arena this season, mainly in the group stage. That is enough for Lee Kang In to be recognized as a title winner if PSG wins, even though his contribution is insignificant, as he has not scored or assisted.

Mehdi Taremi made many contributions to Inter Milan in their journey to the final - Photo: REUTERS

On Inter Milan's side is the case of Iranian player Mehdi Taremi. In contrast to Lee Kang In, Taremi has made much more contributions.

Although he only played 12 matches in the Champions League, his playing minutes were superior to Lee Kang In (714 minutes and 462 minutes). The Iranian star also had 1 goal and 4 assists, leading Inter Milan to the final.

If we talk about worthiness, Taremi is clearly better. But whatever the result, surely this year the Asian player's thirst for the Champions League title will end.

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DUC KHUE

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chau-a-cham-dut-con-khat-champions-league-sau-17-nam-20250530140636586.htm