As Bayern Munich prepare to face Jeju SK on their Asia tour, Jeju head coach and former South Korea assistant coach Sérgio Costa had glowing praise for Kim Min-jae, a player he worked closely with for more than four years.
“I can hardly wait to see Minjae Kim again. We worked together from August 2018 to December 2022. He is not only a person I have grown very fond of, but also, in my opinion, one of the three best center-backs in the world,” Costa told Sport Bild journalist Nico Linner (as captured
by @iMiaSanMia). “He is one of the fastest center-backs I’ve ever seen. Because of his agility, he’s a perfect fit for teams like Bayern that defend with a high line. On top of that, he’s outstanding in one-on-one duels and extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet. His overall package is simply exceptional. What also stands out to me is how incredibly down-to-earth he is – and he has a great sense of humor. He has all the footballing qualities required, as well as the character of someone who never gives up. I’m certain he’ll fight as hard as he possibly can to earn his place back in the starting lineup.”
Costa’s comments come at an important time for Kim, who enters the new season facing increased competition in Bayern Munich’s defense and questions about whether he can reclaim a regular starting role. While his form has been scrutinized at times, few people know the South Korean international better than Costa, making his assessment particularly noteworthy.
The praise goes beyond Kim’s physical attributes and technical ability. Costa highlights the mentality that helped Kim rise to the top level of Italian football, describing a player who combines elite talent with humility, resilience, and determination. If Kim can rediscover his best form, Costa clearly believes Bayern Munich still have one of the world’s premier center-backs on their hands.
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