South Korean captain and defensive anchor who led his nation to a stunning fourth-place finish at the 2002 World Cup on home soil.
Hong Myung-bo was born in Seoul, South Korea on 12 February 1969. A commanding, technically accomplished defender with excellent reading of the game and superb sweeping ability, Hong Myung-bo is widely regarded as the finest South Korean outfield player of his generation. He spent the majority of his club career at POSCO Atoms/Pohang Steelers and Kashiwa Reysol before a spell with LA Galaxy in MLS at the end of his career. The pinnacle of his career came as captain of South Korea at the co-hosted 2002 World Cup, where he led his nation to a stunning fourth-place finish — the best ever by an Asian nation — defeating Portugal, Spain and Italy along the way. He was named in the tournament's All-Star Team. He earned 136 caps for South Korea — a record at the time. He was named AFC Player of the Year in 1991, 1992 and 1993, and was the first Asian player to be voted into the All-Time World Cup XI.
WC 2002 Fourth Place
He captained South Korea to fourth place at the 2002 World Cup — the highest ever finish by an Asian nation — and was included in the All-Star Team and later the All-Time World Cup XI.
Did You Know?Career Honours
- WC 2002 Fourth Place
- AFC Player of the Year 1991, 1992, 1993