South Korean defender Kim Min-jae nominated for Ballon d’Or

[Source]

South Korean center-back Kim Min-jae has been nominated for a men's Ballon d’Or.

The only Asian: Kim, who currently plays for FC Bayern Munich, is the lone male Asian athlete nominated for the prestigious award this year. He is also the first-ever defender of Asian descent to make the 30-man shortlist, according to KBS.

About Kim: The 26-year-old athlete previously played for Napoli, helping the club clinch its first Serie A title in more than three decades in May. Subsequently, he was named Serie A’s best defender of the 2022-23 campaign and made the league’s Team of the Season, as per Yonhap News.

Other nominees: France Football, which presents the annual recognition, revealed the 30-man shortlist on Thursday. Lionel Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami, and Erling Haaland, who is currently with Manchester City, are leading the nominees.

More from NextShark: NYPD search for man who used anti-Asian slur, spit on aide of councilmember

Fellow South Korean footballer: Son Heung-min, who currently captains Tottenham Hotspur, became the highest-ranked Asian player in men’s Ballon d’Or history last year. The 31-year-old athlete also received the Premier League’s Golden Boot, ending the 2021-22 season with a career-high 23 goals.

More from NextShark: Tokyo Restaurant to Serve Custom 3D-Printed Sushi According to Your Health Needs

Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark!

Douyin users criticize 'baiting crowd' for egging on Chinese influencer's livestream suicide

'You came from South Korea': Irvine vice-mayor confronted with xenophobic questioning at council meeting