Lee Chun-soo

Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i

Lee recorded seven goals and nine assists during 18 appearances in the 2002 K League, showing his talent in his first professional season. After becoming a World Cup semi-finalist and the top assist provider of the K League at the age of 19, he was named the Asian Young Footballer of the Year by the Asian Football Confederation. In July 2003, he joined Real Sociedad, the runners-up of the 2002–03 La Liga, becoming the first Korean to play in La Liga. However, after a mediocre season, he was loaned out to fellow La Liga side Numancia, and ultimately returned to South Korea. He was unable to score in the La Liga in his two years there. Lee rejoined Ulsan in mid-season. He scored a hat trick in the first leg of the championship final. He was subsequently named the K League's Most Valuable Player. The next year, he scored a hat-trick against Gamba Osaka at the A3 Champions Cup.

Feyenoord

In the summer of 2007, Lee joined Feyenoord of the Eredivisie. He got the second chance to play in Europe, but failed to adapt to the Netherlands. While he competed in Feyenoord, he was scammed in his country, and took a two-week vacation to solve the problem. He had difficulty concentrating on football due to his case of fraud, and Feyenoord officially announced Lee's loan to South Korean team Suwon Samsung Bluewings on a one-year deal in July 2008.

Loan spells

Even in Suwon, his stint was ill-received: he performed poorly, had clashes with…

In 1999, Lee was selected for the South Korean under-20 team, participating in the Bangabandhu Cup. He scored five goals against Thailand in his debut game, and also scored both goals in a 2–0 win over Brazil. Lee was also a member of the South Korean under-23 team in the 2000 Summer Olympics. In a group match against Morocco, he almost missed a crucial penalty, but succeeded in scoring from the rebound. In the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in his country, Lee was a substitute of the South Korean national team, but showed good dribbles and defense when appearing. After main players were injured, Lee got an opportunity as a starter in the semi-finals against Germany. In this game, however, he was criticised for displaying a greediness for goal with little regard for teamwork, although he made a memorable shot saved by Oliver Kahn.This game ended in a 1-0 win for Germany and ultimately South Korea finished 4th in the World Cup after losing to Turkey in the 3rd place playoffs. Unlike in the 2002 World Cup, Lee played as a starter in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He scored South Korea's first goal with a free kick against Togo in a 2–1 win.

Club

International

Results list South Korea's goal tally first.

Player

Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i

K League 1: 2005 Korean League Cup: 2007 Korean Super Cup: 2006 A3 Champions Cup: 2006 Feyenoord

KNVB Cup: 2007–08 Suwon Samsung Bluewings

K League 1: 2008 Korean League Cup: 2008 Incheon United

Korean FA Cup runner-up: 2015 South Korea U23

Asian Games bronze medal: 2002 South Korea

AFC Asian Cup third place: 2007 Individual

K League All-Star: 2002, 2006, 2007, 2013 K League 1 top assist provider: 2002 K League Rookie of the Year: 2002 K League 1 Best XI: 2002, 2005 AFC Youth Player of the Year: 2002 K League 1 Most Valuable Player: 2005 A3 Champions Cup Most Valuable Player: 2006 A3 Champions Cup top goalscorer: 2006 AFC Asian Cup Team of the Tournament: 2007 Korean FA Goal of the Year: 2007

Television personality