Lee Young-pyo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Lee Young-pyo

Lee with Vancouver Whitecaps FC in 2011
Personal information
Full name	Lee Young-pyo
Date of birth	(1977-04-23) 23 April 1977 (age 48)
Place of birth	Hongcheon, Gangwon, South Korea
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Left-back
Youth career
1990–1992	Anyang Middle School
1993–1995	Anyang Technical High School [ko]
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1996–2000	Konkuk University [ko]
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2000–2002	Anyang LG Cheetahs	60	(3)
2003–2005	PSV Eindhoven	81	(1)
2005–2008	Tottenham Hotspur	70	(0)
2008–2009	Borussia Dortmund	18	(0)
2009–2011	Al-Hilal	46	(0)
2012–2013	Vancouver Whitecaps FC	65	(1)
Total		340	(5)
International career
1999–2002	South Korea U23	23	(1)
1999–2011	South Korea	127	(5)
Medal record Representing South Korea Men's football AFC Asian Cup Bronze 2000 Lebanon Team Bronze 2011 Qatar Team Asian Games Bronze 2002 Busan Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Lee Young-pyo (이영표; born on April 23, 1977) is a famous former South Korean footballer. He played as a left back, which is a defensive position on the field. Lee was well-known for his amazing speed and dribbling skills. One of his former coaches, Martin Jol, even called him "the best left back in Holland."

Before playing for big European clubs like PSV Eindhoven and Tottenham Hotspur, Lee started his career in South Korea. He played for FC Seoul, which was then called Anyang LG Cheetahs. After that, he spent two successful years with PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands. His coach there, Guus Hiddink, had also coached Lee and the South Korean national team during the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Lee was considered the best left-back in the Netherlands in 2005, and Tottenham Hotspur signed him that same year.

Lee reached a big milestone on November 19, 2008, when he played his 100th game for the national team. This was during a World Cup qualifying match against Saudi Arabia. He also had the honor of being captain for the national team a couple of times during the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.

After retiring from playing, Lee became the CEO of the K League football team Gangwon FC on January 1, 2021. He held this role for two years.

Lee Young-pyo's Football Journey

Starting Out in South Korea

Lee Young-pyo began his professional football career with Anyang LG Cheetahs in the K League. He helped his team win the K League title in 2000. His team also reached the final of the Asian Club Championship in 2002.

Lee's impressive skills earned him a spot on the South Korean national team. He played a key role in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, helping South Korea score winning goals against Portugal and Italy. After the World Cup, he joined his national team coach Guus Hiddink and teammate Park Ji-sung at PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands.

Success in the Netherlands

At PSV Eindhoven, Lee quickly became a star player. He was known for his great stamina, excellent technique, and ability to both defend and attack. Many people thought he was the best left-back in the Dutch league, called the Eredivisie.

Lee and his teammate Park Ji-sung were very important in PSV Eindhoven's journey to the semi-finals of the 2004–05 UEFA Champions League in 2005. Even though PSV wanted him to stay, Lee decided to move to the English club Tottenham Hotspur in August 2005. During his time at PSV, he scored one goal and helped set up 13 others.

Playing in England with Tottenham Hotspur

Lee playing for Tottenham

When Lee joined Tottenham Hotspur, he quickly became a fan favorite. He even earned a spot on the Premier League's best team in his first week! His coach, Martin Jol, praised him as "the best left-back in Holland."

Lee played many games for Tottenham, helping their defense. In 2006, he had a chance to move to an Italian club, Roma, but he decided not to for personal reasons. He later explained that while it would have been a great football move, he had other reasons for staying. Lee continued to play well for Tottenham until he got a knee injury in April 2007. He recovered and played regularly in the 2007–08 season, even earning a medal when Tottenham won the Football League Cup.

Adventures in Germany and Saudi Arabia

In August 2008, Lee moved to Borussia Dortmund, a club in Germany's top league, the Bundesliga. He played regularly at the start of his time there.

Then, in July 2009, Lee made a big move to Al-Hilal, a club in Saudi Arabia. He shared later that he felt a strong calling to go there, even though it was a new and different experience for him. He enjoyed his time and learned a lot in his new environment.

Finishing His Career in Canada

Lee signed with Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Canada on December 6, 2011. He scored his first goal for them in April 2012 from a free kick. Lee was a very important player for Vancouver in the 2012 season, playing as a right back. He was even named Vancouver's Player of the Year in October 2012. He helped the team become the first Canadian team to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Lee played his very last professional game on October 27, 2013, in Vancouver. His team won 3–0. After one of his teammates scored, he was given the ball as a special tribute to his amazing career.

Lee Young-pyo's International Goals

Lee Young-pyo scored 5 goals for the South Korean national team during his career. Here are some of them:

List of international goals scored by Lee Young-pyo

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	28 July 2000	Workers' Stadium, Beijing, China	14	China	1–0	1–0	Friendly
2	4 October 2000	Al-Maktoum Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates	15	United Arab Emirates	1–1	1–1 (aet) (2–3 p)	2000 LG Cup
3	13 October 2000	International Olympic Stadium, Tripoli, Lebanon	17	China	1–0	2–2	2000 AFC Asian Cup
4	9 February 2005	Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea	74	Kuwait	2–0	2–0	2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
5	30 March 2005	Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea	76	Uzbekistan	1–0	2–1	2006 FIFA World Cup qualification

Life After Football: TV and Leadership

After retiring from playing football, Lee Young-pyo has appeared on several television shows. He often appears as himself, sharing his insights and experiences.

Television Appearances

Awards and Achievements

Lee Young-pyo has won many awards and honors throughout his football career.

Player Awards

Anyang LG Cheetahs

• K League 1: 2000
• Korean Super Cup: 2001
• Asian Club Championship runner-up: 2001–02

PSV Eindhoven

• Eredivisie: 2002–03, 2004–05
• KNVB Cup: 2004–05
• Johan Cruyff Shield: 2003

Tottenham Hotspur

• Football League Cup: 2007–08

Al-Hilal

• Saudi Pro League: 2009–10, 2010–11
• Saudi Crown Prince Cup: 2009–10, 2010–11

South Korea U23

• Asian Games bronze medal: 2002

South Korea

• AFC Asian Cup third place: 2000, 2011

Individual Awards

• K League All-Star: 2000, 2001, 2002
• K League 1 Best XI: 2001
• Vancouver Whitecaps FC Player of the Year: 2012
• AFC Fans' All-time XI at the FIFA World Cup: 2020

Television Personality Awards

Lee Young-pyo has also received awards for his work on television.

See also

In Spanish: Lee Young-pyo para niños

• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps