Ahn Jung-hwan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ahn Jung-hwan

Ahn with Dalian Shide in 2009
Personal information
Date of birth	(1976-01-27) 27 January 1976 (age 49)
Place of birth	Paju, Gyeonggi, South Korea
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position	Attacking midfielder, striker
Youth career
?–1990	Namseoul Middle School
1991–1993	Seoul Technical High School [ko]
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1998–2002	Busan Daewoo Royals	54	(27)
2000–2002	→ Perugia (loan)	30	(5)
2002–2003	Shimizu S-Pulse	38	(14)
2004–2005	Yokohama F. Marinos	34	(16)
2005–2006	Metz	16	(2)
2006	MSV Duisburg	12	(2)
2007	Suwon Samsung Bluewings	15	(0)
2008	Busan IPark	19	(4)
2009–2011	Dalian Shide	65	(18)
Total		283	(88)
National team
1994	South Korea U20	4	(2)
1997	South Korea B
1997–2010	South Korea	71	(17)
Honours Representing  South Korea Men's football Summer Universiade Silver 1997 Sicily EAFF Championship Gold 2003 Japan East Asian Games Gold 1997 Busan
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Ahn Jung-hwan (born January 27, 1976) is a famous South Korean television personality and former professional footballer. He was a very skilled forward who could score important goals. Ahn played for South Korea in three FIFA World Cups. He is especially remembered for scoring a "golden goal" against Italy in the 2002 World Cup. After retiring from football, Ahn became a popular football commentator and TV host. He is also known for his charity work.

Early Life and Football Start

Ahn Jung-hwan grew up in a difficult situation. His grandmother raised him after his father passed away. His mother could not take care of him. Ahn joined his elementary school's football team because they offered bread and milk. He quickly found out he was very good at the sport.

University Football Career

Ahn's amazing skills in high school led to many offers from universities. He chose Ajou University because they offered him a good deal. This included a bonus and a guaranteed spot with the professional team Busan Daewoo Royals. Ajou University also agreed to accept his whole high school team.

Ahn helped Ajou University's team become very strong. In 1997, during a big university final, Ahn arrived straight from the airport. He had just returned from Italy. Even though he was tired, he scored two goals and helped with another. This led Ajou University to a big win. His great performance helped him join the Busan Daewoo Royals. He quickly became one of the best players in the K League.

Club Football Journey

Busan Daewoo Royals

In 1998, Ahn started his professional career with the K League club Busan Daewoo Royals. He played very well right away. He was chosen as one of the best players in the K League that year. In 1999, he was named the K League Most Valuable Player. He helped his team finish second in the league.

Loan to Perugia

In 2000, Ahn went to play for Perugia in Italy. He was the first South Korean to play in Italy's top league, Serie A. He played 30 games and scored five goals over two seasons.

His time at Perugia became famous during the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He scored a crucial golden goal against Italy, which knocked them out of the tournament. The next day, Perugia's owner ended Ahn's contract. He said Ahn's goal was the reason. This decision caused a lot of discussion. Ahn then decided to play in Japan for the next three years.

Shimizu S-Pulse

In 2002, Ahn joined Shimizu S-Pulse in Japan's J1 League. He quickly got used to Japanese football. He scored 7 goals in 16 games in his first season. In 2003, he became the club's top scorer with 11 goals.

Yokohama F. Marinos

In 2004, Ahn moved to Yokohama F. Marinos, the champions of the J1 League. He quickly became a key player. He helped Yokohama win the first part of the season. Even with an injury, he was the team's top scorer with 12 goals. Yokohama won the league title that year.

In 2005, Ahn continued to play well. He scored four goals in nine games. Then, he received an offer from a French club, Metz.

Metz

In July 2005, Ahn signed a one-year contract with Metz in France's Ligue 1. He chose to go back to Europe even though another Japanese club offered him much more money. However, he did not play as well at Metz. He scored only 2 goals in 16 league games. Metz struggled and was later moved to a lower league.

MSV Duisburg

Ahn with MSV Duisburg in 2006

In January 2006, Ahn joined Bundesliga club MSV Duisburg in Germany. He wanted to get used to Germany before the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He scored two goals in 12 games. Duisburg was moved to a lower league. After the season, he returned to South Korea.

Suwon Samsung Bluewings

In January 2007, Ahn joined Suwon Samsung Bluewings in the K League. He started well, scoring three goals in a League Cup game. However, his performance went down. He was not chosen for the national team for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.

During a reserve team game, Ahn had an incident with fans. He was verbally abused by fans and was ejected from the match. He had to pay a fine. Ahn scored 5 goals in 25 games for Suwon, but no league goals. He left the club at the end of the season.

Return to Busan

In 2008, Ahn went back to his old club, now called Busan IPark. His performance was not amazing, but he was a good example for his teammates. Busan offered him a new contract, but he wanted to play in a foreign league again.

Dalian Shide

On March 20, 2009, Ahn joined Chinese Super League team Dalian Shide. He signed a seven-month contract. Dalian liked his performance and extended his contract. Even though he was older, he was a key player for Dalian. He was the team's top scorer in 2009 and 2010. Dalian almost reached a spot in the AFC Champions League because of him. However, a knee injury kept him out of the last games.

Ahn signed with Dalian again for the 2011 season. But his best playing days were over. On October 29, 2011, he wore the captain's armband in his last game for Dalian. He said goodbye to the fans at halftime. He announced he was retiring as a player in January 2012.

International Football Career

Early Career

In 1994, Ahn was chosen for the South Korean under-20 team. In 1997, he played his first game for the senior national team against China. He also won a silver medal with the South Korean Universiade team in 1997.

2002 World Cup

Ahn was one of South Korea's main strikers at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The team's manager, Guus Hiddink, trusted Ahn after he played well in friendly games. Ahn scored two goals and assisted another in a 4–1 win against Scotland.

In a group game against the United States, Ahn scored a goal that saved his team from losing. In the Round of 16 match against Italy, he missed an early penalty. But he later scored a dramatic "golden goal" in extra time. This goal helped South Korea make history by reaching the quarter-finals. This goal is one of the most famous moments in South Korean football. Ahn was considered for the All-Star Team because he helped South Korea finish in the top four.

"Ahn is the same type of striker as Romário or Raúl. They can completely omit a certain phase of the game. On the bench, you will rotate every other player, but toward this type of player, you will sometimes feel he can just turn the game upside down." – Guus Hiddink, in an interview with football magazine De VoetbalTrainer

2004 Asian Cup

Ahn scored a goal in a 3–1 win over Hong Kong. He also helped South Korea win the first EAFF Championship in 2003. He was very popular in South Korea at that time.

Ahn did not play as much in the AFC Asian Cup. He was not called up for the 2000 and 2007 tournaments. At the 2004 tournament, he played as a substitute in three games. He scored against the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

2006 World Cup

Ahn played as a substitute for South Korea in three group games at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. In the first game against Togo, he scored the winning goal. This gave South Korea an important victory. He also became Asia's top goal scorer in World Cup history with three goals. Even with his help, South Korea did not get past the group stage.

Retirement from International Play

Ahn was not a main player for South Korea after the 2006 World Cup. But he was chosen for the national team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup because of his experience. He did not play in any games at the 2010 World Cup. South Korea was eliminated by Uruguay in the Round of 16.

Ahn announced his retirement as a player on January 31, 2012. He had a retirement ceremony during a World Cup qualifier game on February 29.

Style of Play

Ahn was very good at passing, dribbling, and shooting with both feet. This meant he could play in any attacking position. In South Korea, he was called the "fantasista". He was comfortable playing as an attacking midfielder. He could also play as a winger or striker. However, he was not very strong physically and did not help much with defense.

"Ahn was a rare type of player in our country. His skills were impossible for me, and were not behind European players. He showed Korean players also can play technical football." – Park Ji-sung

After Retirement

After stopping professional football, Ahn became a television personality. He is seen as one of the most successful athletes who became TV stars in South Korea. People like his honest and sharp way of talking. He has hosted many TV shows, including Please Take Care of My Refrigerator.

Ahn also works as a football commentator. He has provided live commentary for South Korea's football matches since 2014.

In 2012, Ahn became an honorary ambassador for the K League. He visited all 16 K League stadiums. He also invited his teammates from the 2002 World Cup to the K League All-Star Game. He was praised for his efforts to promote the league.

Ahn was one of the people who carried the Olympic flame at the start of the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Ahn has always volunteered and donated money since he became a footballer. In 2019, he became an honorary ambassador for Save the Children. By 2023, he had donated ₩300 million (about $220,000 USD). This money came from his YouTube channel. He also took part in many charity activities.

In 2021, Ahn helped start an entertainment company called "Moongchin Project". In October 2024, he played in the Nexon Icon Match in Korea.

Personal Life

Ahn married former Miss Korea Lee Hye-won in 2001. They have one daughter and one son. He was nicknamed The Lord of the Ring. This was because he would kiss his wedding ring when he celebrated a goal. This celebration became popular among South Koreans.

Ahn is known as one of the most handsome footballers in South Korea. Before he retired, his face was often compared to South Korean actors. He also appeared in many TV advertisements.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Results list South Korea's goal tally first.

List of international goals scored by Ahn Jung-hwan

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	12 June 1999	Seoul, South Korea	5	Mexico	1–1	1–1	1999 Korea Cup
2	20 December 2000	Tokyo, Japan	12	Japan	1–0	1–1	Friendly
3	16 May 2002	Busan, South Korea	20	Scotland	2–0	4–1	Friendly
4					4–1
5	10 June 2002	Daegu, South Korea	23	United States	1–1	1–1	2002 FIFA World Cup
6	18 June 2002	Daejeon, South Korea	25	Italy	2–1	2–1 (aet)	2002 FIFA World Cup
7	20 November 2002	Seoul, South Korea	29	Brazil	2–1	2–3	Friendly
8	31 May 2003	Tokyo, Japan	32	Japan	1–0	1–0	Friendly
9	4 December 2003	Tokyo, Japan	34	Hong Kong	3–1	3–1	2003 EAFF Championship
10	14 February 2004	Ulsan South Korea	37	Oman	3–0	5–0	Friendly
11					4–0
12	9 June 2004	Daejeon, South Korea	43	Vietnam	1–0	2–0	2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
13	23 July 2004	Jinan, China	46	United Arab Emirates	2–0	2–0	2004 AFC Asian Cup
14	27 July 2004	Jinan, China	47	Kuwait	4–0	4–0	2004 AFC Asian Cup
15	12 November 2005	Seoul, South Korea	56	Sweden	1–0	2–2	Friendly
16	13 June 2006	Frankfurt, Germany	62	Togo	2–1	2–1	2006 FIFA World Cup
17	16 August 2006	Taipei, Republic of China	65	Chinese Taipei	1–0	3–0	2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification

Filmography

Television

Music video

Honours

Player

Busan Daewoo Royals

• Korean League Cup: 1998

Yokohama F. Marinos

• J1 League: 2004

South Korea B

• Summer Universiade silver medal: 1997
• East Asian Games: 1997

South Korea

• EAFF Championship: 2003

Individual

• K League All-Star: 1998, 1999
• K League 1 Best XI: 1998, 1999
• K League 1 Most Valuable Player: 1999
• Korean FA Fans' Player of the Year: 2003

Television personality

See Also

In Spanish: Ahn Jung-hwan para niños