Kim Joo-sung (born 17 January 1964) is a former South Korean footballer who mainly played as an attacking midfielder. An icon of the Daewoo Royals with a brief stint in Germany for VfL Bochum, Kim was also a long-time South Korean national team captain and finished second in the IFFHS Asia's Player of the Century polls.
Kim joined the Daewoo Royals in 1987. In his first professional season, he won the K League and was named the K League Young Player of the Year. Bundesliga club VfL Bochum signed him on loan in 1992, yet he struggled to adapt to the new environment and suffered relegation. Later on, Kim helped Bochum win the 1993âÂÂ94 2. Bundesliga before coming back to South Korea at Daewoo's request. Playing a key part in the Daewoo Royals' title win, he became 1997's K League MVP. Two years later, Kim announced his retirement, with the Royals also retiring his number 16.
Kim was selected for the South Korea national team for the 1986 FIFA World Cup, playing in a major competition for the first time. He also played for South Korea in the 1986 Asian Games, winning a gold medal.
Afterwards, Kim became the greatest footballer in Asia and South Korea. In the 1988 AFC Asian Cup, he performed a key role with great dribbles, leading South Korea to the final. He became the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, although South Korea lost to Saudi Arabia after the penalty shoot-out in the final. He was also named the Most Outstanding Player in the Asian qualification of the 1990 FIFA World Cup after South Korea won the competition without a defeat. He was voted Asian Footballer of the Year for three consecutive years from 1989 to 1991.
Kim's domination over Asia interested European clubs at the time. However, he showed poor performance in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, failing to live up to their expectations. He could go to Europe two years after the end of the World Cup.
On 8 October 1991, he played for the official World XI against Germany in a charity match organised by FIFA.
In September 2003, Kim attended a sports management masters course at De Montfort University, Leicester until February 2004, when his studies took him to Switzerland.
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Busan Daewoo Royals
VfL Bochum
South Korea B
South Korea
Individual