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Long before Son Heung-min captivated the globe, there was a pioneer who dared to conquer Europe and forever altered the trajectory of Asian football — and his legacy burns brighter than ever at this World Cup! Cha Bum-kun, now 73, is not merely a former player; he is the cornerstone upon which Korea Republic's footballing identity was built. Heading to Germany in the late 1970s, Cha thrust himself into the heart of the world's most demanding league and thrived, lifting the UEFA Cup with both Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen — a feat of continental dominance that remains etched in Bundesliga folklore. Despite missing seven or eight of his prime years from national-team duty during his European sojourn, Cha remains Korea Republic's all-time leading scorer with an astounding 58 goals in senior internationals. He returned to the national fold at the age of 33 for the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, after the nation qualified for the finals for the first time in 32 years. Coincidentally, Cha was the same age at that tournament as Son Heung-min is at this one — and last summer, Son completed his own fairy-tale by winning the UEFA Europa League with Tottenham Hotspur, mirroring Cha's European triumphs. After hanging up his boots, Cha founded the Cha Bum-kun Football School, Korea Republic's first advanced youth academy modelled on European standards. World Cup 2026 stars Paik Seung-ho and Hwang Hee-chan are among the graduates of this visionary institution, proof that Cha's influence extends far beyond his own playing days. Now, 40 years after his own World Cup journey began in Mexico, Cha has returned to the same country to watch Korea Republic in person — a full-circle moment of extraordinary poignancy. His enduring passion for the game, his insights into the rising strength of Asian football, and his reflections on both Korea Republic and Japan's current generation reveal a man whose love for the beautiful game remains as fierce and unyielding as ever.
