Defender Kim Min-jae on Oct. 17 heads in a goal in a friendly between Korea and Vietnam at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do Province. (Yonhap News)

By Israa Mohamed

National soccer defender Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) on Oct. 31 was named the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) Asian International Player of the Year at the AFC Annual Awards Doha 2022 held at Qatar National Convention Centre in the Arab country's capital of Doha.

Nicknamed "Monster" for his imposing physique, Kim became Korea's second to earn the honor after Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League (EPL), who won in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. Kim beat out Mehdi Taremi of Iran (FC Porto of Portugal) and Kaoru Mitoma of Japan (Brighton & Hove Albion of the EPL).

The award goes to an Asian male player who plays for a pro team unaffiliated with the AFC based on his performance for his club and national team the previous year.

"Kim was a colossus as the Italian side (SSC Napoli) also reached the UEFA Champions League last eight for the first time in their illustrious history," the AFC on Nov. 1 said on its official website. "The 26-year-old kept 16 clean sheets, scored two goals and provided two assists in 33 matches as the Blues marched to their first Scudetto in 33 years."

On Oct. 30, Kim was the first Asian defender to rank among the finalists for the Ballon d'Or as the world's top player, ranking 22nd out of 30 players at the ceremony in Paris. This was also the second-highest finish for an Asian player following Son at 11th last year.

National soccer defender Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) on Oct. 31 won Asian International Player of the Year at the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) awards ceremony held at Qatar National Convention Centre in the Arab country's capital of Doha. (AFC's official Facebook page)