Kim Min-jae (Napoli) was greeted with a huge cheer as he brought home both the Best Defender trophy and the winner’s medal.
Kim arrived at Incheon International Airport on Saturday afternoon. After Napoli’s final Serie A match of the 2022/23 season against Sampdoria on April 4, he took a break downstream and returned home today.
At the arrival hall, Kim held up his Serie A Best Defender trophy and wore his Serie A winner’s medal, signaling the best season of his football career.
About 100 fans gathered at the arrival gate and chanted “Kim, Kim, Kim” as Kim entered with the Serie A Best Defender trophy and the winner’s medal around his neck. “Kim, Kim, Kim” is a chant that Napoli fans chant when they are enthusiastic about Kim Min-jae, whether at home or away, and the same atmosphere was created at Incheon Airport.
As Kim exited the arrivals hall and made his way to the parking lot, he was greeted by a crowd of fans, one of whom shouted, “Congratulations on the Scudetto (the shield-shaped patch that Serie A winners wear on their jerseys next season)!”
“Hyung, what division are you going to?” another fan asked. This is because Kim Min-jae is scheduled to undergo three weeks of basic military training after his arrival in Korea instead of the June A match. However, he didn’t answer the question.
Kim has become one of Europe’s top defenders after a breakout 2022/23 season. 메이저사이트
He joined Serie A giants Napoli last summer. Napoli paid €18 million (approximately $25.1 billion) for Kim in a buyout (a set amount that can be agreed upon between clubs without the player’s original team’s consent) from Turkkiye Fenerbahçe.
Kim dominated Serie A, Europe’s biggest league, with his trademark marking, speed, and passing ability. Starting 35 of Napoli’s 38 games in Serie A in a league with monster strikers, Kim started all 35 games and played 30 of them full-time, helping the club reach the top of Serie A for the first time in 33 years.
The 6-foot-3 midfielder used his long, quick feet, accurate passing, and ability to cover space to become a solid wall for Napoli. He also scored two goals with headers from set pieces.
With Kim in the middle of the defense, Napoli were able to attack with more confidence. Victor Osimhen and Hvitsa Kvarachelia were the best one-two punch. With a well-balanced offense and defense, Napoli made history by winning the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years since the Diego Maradona era.