Ahn Jung-hwan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ahn Jung-hwan

Ahn in November 2021
Personal information
Date of birth	(1976-01-27) 27 January 1976 (age 49)
Place of birth	Paju, South Korea
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Attacking midfielder, striker
Youth career
?–1990	Namseoul Middle School
1991–1993	Seoul Technical High School [ko]
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1994–1997	Ajou University [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)
International career
1994	South Korea U20	4	(2)
1997	South Korea B
1997–2010	South Korea	71	(17)
Medal record Representing  South Korea Men's football Summer Universiade Silver 1997 Sicily EAFF Championship Gold 2003 Japan East Asian Games Gold 1997 Busan
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Ahn Jung-hwan (Hangul: 안정환; born 27 January 1976) is a famous South Korean TV personality and a former professional footballer. He was a very skilled forward, known for his amazing moves and scoring important goals. Ahn played for South Korea in three FIFA World Cups. He famously scored a golden goal against Italy in the 2002 World Cup. After he stopped playing football, Ahn became a popular TV host and football commentator. He is also known for helping others through charity work.

Early Life and Football Start

Ahn Jung-hwan grew up in a difficult situation. His father passed away, and his mother could not take care of him, so his grandmother raised him. Even though his grandmother was worried at first, Ahn joined his elementary school's football team. He was drawn to the team because they offered bread and milk, which was a big help. He quickly found out he was very good at football and started to shine.

University Football Career

Ahn's great skills in high school led to many offers from universities. He chose Ajou University because they offered him a good deal. This included a signing bonus and a guaranteed spot with the professional team Busan Daewoo Royals after he graduated. Ajou University also agreed to let his entire high school team join, which made his decision final.

Ahn's time at Ajou University was a golden age for their team. A memorable moment happened in 1997 during a university football final. Ahn had just returned from Italy after playing in the Summer Universiade. He arrived at the match directly from the airport during the second half, with his team losing 2-1. Even though he was tired, Ahn scored two goals and helped with another, leading Ajou University to a thrilling win. His excellent play throughout his university years helped Ajou University win a championship. This led to him signing with the Busan Daewoo Royals. He quickly became a top player, earning a spot in the K League Best XI in his first year and winning the Most Valuable Player award in 1999.

Club Football Journey

Starting with Busan Daewoo Royals

In 1998, Ahn began his professional football career with the K League club Busan Daewoo Royals. He played so well that he was chosen as one of the K League Best XI in his first year. The next year, in 1999, he was named the K League Most Valuable Player. He helped his team finish as runners-up in the K League that season.

Playing in Italy: Perugia

In 2000, Ahn went to play for Perugia in Italy's Serie A league. He was the first South Korean footballer to play in Italy. It was tough for him to fit in, and he didn't get much playing time. However, he played in 30 matches and scored five goals over two seasons.

His time at Perugia became very famous during the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Ahn scored a vital golden goal against Italy in the Round of 16, which knocked Italy out of the tournament. The day after, Perugia's owner surprisingly ended Ahn's contract because of that goal. This decision was seen as unfair and caused a lot of anger around the world. The owner later changed his mind, but Ahn had a legal disagreement with the club. After FIFA stepped in, Ahn paid a fee to Perugia with help from a Japanese company. This event led Ahn to play in Japan for the next three years instead of other big European leagues.

Playing in Japan: Shimizu S-Pulse

In 2002, after his issues with Perugia, Ahn joined Shimizu S-Pulse in Japan's J1 League. He quickly got used to Japanese football. In his first season, he scored 7 goals in 16 games. He continued his good form in 2003, becoming the club's top scorer with 11 goals in 28 league games.

Playing in Japan: Yokohama F. Marinos

In 2004, Ahn moved to Yokohama F. Marinos, who were the champions of the J1 League. He quickly became a key player and helped Yokohama win the first part of the season. Even though he got injured later in the season, he was still the team's top scorer with 12 goals in 25 league games. Yokohama won the league title again that year, thanks to his help.

In 2005, Ahn continued to play well, scoring four goals in nine games before he got an offer from a French club, Metz.

Playing in France: Metz

In July 2005, Ahn signed a one-year contract with Metz in France's Ligue 1. Another Japanese club offered him much more money, but he chose to go back to Europe. However, he didn't play as well at Metz, scoring only 2 goals in 16 league matches. Metz had a tough season and ended up being moved down to a lower league.

Playing in Germany: MSV Duisburg

Ahn with MSV Duisburg in 2006

In January 2006, Ahn joined Bundesliga club MSV Duisburg. He wanted to get used to playing in Germany, which was hosting the 2006 FIFA World Cup that year. He scored two goals in 12 games, but Duisburg was moved down to a lower league. After the season, he was released by Duisburg and returned to South Korea.

Back to South Korea: Suwon Samsung Bluewings

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

Ahn's time at Suwon was not very successful. He scored 5 goals in 25 games but none in the league. He left the club at the end of the season.

Return to Busan

In 2008, Ahn went back to his old club, which was now called Busan IPark. His performance wasn't amazing in terms of statistics, but he was a great role model for his teammates. Busan offered him a new contract, but he wanted to play in a foreign league again.

Playing in China: Dalian Shide

Ahn with Dalian Shide in 2009

On 20 March 2009, Ahn joined the Chinese Super League team Dalian Shide. He quickly impressed the team, and they extended his contract. Even though he was getting older, he was a key player for Dalian, becoming their top scorer in 2009 and 2010. Dalian almost reached a spot in the AFC Champions League because of his efforts. However, a knee injury kept him out of the last matches, and his team finished sixth.

Ahn signed with Dalian again for the 2011 season, but his best playing days were behind him. On 29 October 2011, he wore the captain's armband in his last match 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 International Matches

In 1994, Ahn was chosen for the South Korean under-20 team. About three years later, on 23 April 1997, he played his first senior international game for South Korea against China. He also played for the South Korean Universiade team in the 1997 Summer Universiade in August, where they won a silver medal.

The 2002 World Cup

Ahn was a key striker for South Korea at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The national team manager, Guus Hiddink, wasn't sure about Ahn at first. But Ahn earned his trust in friendly matches before the tournament. He was especially impressive in a 4-1 win against Scotland, where he scored two goals and helped with another.

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

The 2004 Asian Cup

Ahn scored a goal in a 3-1 win against Hong Kong, helping South Korea win the first EAFF Championship in 2003. He was very popular in South Korea at that time. He even got a special break from his military training to play in a friendly match against Argentina.

However, Ahn didn't get to play much in the AFC Asian Cup. He wasn't called up for the 2000 and 2007 tournaments because he wasn't playing well for his clubs. At the 2004 tournament, which was his first and last Asian Cup, he played as a substitute in three matches. Despite limited time, he scored against the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

The 2006 World Cup

Ahn played as a substitute for South Korea in three group stage matches at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. In the first match against Togo, he scored the winning goal, which gave South Korea an important victory. He also became Asia's top goalscorer in World Cup history with three goals. Even with his efforts, South Korea did not make it past the group stage.

Retirement from International Play

After the 2006 World Cup, Ahn was no longer South Korea's main player. However, he was chosen for the national team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup because of his experience. He did not play in any matches at the 2010 World Cup before South Korea was knocked out by Uruguay.

Ahn announced he was retiring as a player on 31 January 2012. He had a special retirement ceremony during a World Cup qualifier match against Kuwait on 29 February.

Playing Style

Ahn was very talented with the ball. He could pass, dribble, and shoot well with both feet. This meant he could play in any attacking position. In South Korea, he was called a "fantasista" because of his creative play. He was comfortable playing as an attacking midfielder, but he could also play as a winger or striker. However, he wasn't known for his physical strength or helping much with defense.

Life After Football

After retiring from professional football, Ahn Jung-hwan became a popular television personality. He is known as one of the most successful athletes who became comedians in South Korea. People enjoy his honest and witty comments. He has hosted several 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 on Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation since 2014.

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

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

Ahn has always helped others through volunteering and donations since he became a footballer. In 2019, he was named an honorary ambassador for Save the Children. By 2023, he had donated ₩300 million (about $220,000 USD), which were profits from his YouTube channel, to Save the Children. 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 as part of the striker team.

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 because he used to kiss his wedding ring when he celebrated a goal. This celebration became very popular in South Korea at the time.

Ahn is widely considered one of the most handsome footballers in South Korea. Before he retired, his looks were often compared to South Korean actors, and he appeared in many TV advertisements.

Honours and Awards

Player Achievements

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 Awards

• 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 Awards

See also

In Spanish: Ahn Jung-hwan para niños