Korea’s next export is a multi-faceted midfield marvel – and he’ll say so himself

AGE 25
CLUB Ulsan Hyundai Horang-I
POSITION Winger
LOWDOWN Too good for Korea’s K-League – and he knows it

There’s a saying on the Korean peninsula that the most handsome men can be found in the South while the prettiest women live in the North. Yet in fact it is South Korean women who are famed for their beauty while a Brazilian website voted Lee Chun-Soo the ugliest player at Germany 2006.

Strange hair colours aside, this seemed harsh, and Lee’s style of play, at least, could be described as anything but ugly. Widely regarded as South Korea’s best player at the tournament, Lee scored their first goal too, a trademark free-kick to level the scores against Togo. And, along with Celtic’s Japanese playmaker and our own Timmy Cahill, Lee is probably Asia’s finest footballer.

“He’s got everything,” says South Korea coach Pim Verbeek. “He can play on the left or right, is fantastic at free-kicks, works hard and has a great mentality. There is no reason for any coach not to like him.” Or, as one Argentine journalist remarked in Germany: “He is smart and understands the game. He’s very expressive; he doesn’t look like an Asian player.”

He doesn’t behave like a typical Asian player, either, at least not a typical South Korean player in the Park Ji-Sung, Seol Ki-Hyeon or Lee Young-Pyo mould. Opinionated, brash and flash, the 25-year-old winger counts pop stars and movie stars among his friends and is a regular in South Korea’s gossip columns. He is also no stranger to controversy...

He was not the only South Korean player to write a book about the 2002 World Cup but was alone in saying unflattering things about team-mates and coach Guus Hiddink. His comments were not well received and soon after, he was booed by fans throughout the K-League All-Star game.



Having just been carpeted by the South Korean FA for giving the finger to opposing fans at a match, a move to Spain came at a good time. And although he was ultimately unsuccessful during spells with Real Sociedad and Numancia between 2003 and 2005, the experience made Lee a more rounded player.

Upon his return from Spain in July 2005, he inspired Ulsan Hyundai Horang-I to the K-League title and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player in December 2005 – despite the fact that he only played for half of the season.

After rising above South Korea’s general mediocrity at the World Cup in Germany, a move to England beckoned for the 67-times-capped winger. “Four teams are interested,” said Lee, modestly. “They may not be as famous as Manchester United but they are medium-level clubs.”

Lee obviously knows his Premiership, as three of those four were reportedly Manchester City, Aston Villa and Portsmouth, with only the latter making a concrete offer. The Incheon-born star said no, instead deciding to wait for the “perfect offer” in the January transfer window, one that doesn’t involve a trial or a loan.

In the meantime, Lee’s stock continues to rise. He was unplayable in August’s East Asian Champions Cup in Japan. Against the Chinese champions and the Japanese title winners and cup holders, Lee scored six goals in two-and-a-half games, despite suffering from a cold.

He was at it again the following month, tormenting Saudi Arabia champions Al Shabab in the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League as his team won the first leg 6-0.

He was quick to play up his achievements. “In my career, there hasn’t be any luck,” he said. “Pure sweat and effort made me the player I am now.”

But more controversy was just around the corner. After Ulsan were surprisingly knocked out in the semis, a frustrated Lee let rip a verbal volley at a referee in a domestic game – a serious offence in Confucian-influenced South Korea. He was sent off, banned for the rest of the season and ordered by the club to do three days’ community service.

His appearance at the disciplinary hearing was greeted by a posse of pressmen. “That’s another reason why he needs to leave,” says Pim Verbeek. “He’s too big and too good for the K-League. He’s done everything he needs to do here.”

For now, Lee intends to come back – and go out – with a bang at this month’s FIFA Club World Cup in Japan. Catch him if you can: the next time you see him could well be up against the Socceroos in a crucial Asian Cup clash.