Ahn Jung-hwan

Ahn was selected for the South Korea under-20 team for the 1994 AFC Youth Championship, but South Korea failed to advance to the semi-finals. Three years later, he was selected for the South Korea Universiade team for the 1997 Summer Universiade and led the team's silver medal in the tournament.

Ahn started his professional career with K League's Busan Daewoo Royals in 1998. Ahn showed great performance in his club and he was selected as one of the 1998 K League Best XI. The next year, in 1999, he was named the Most Valuable Player by leading the team's runners-up in the K League.

Ahn joined Serie A side A.C. Perugia on loan in 2000. He appeared 30 matches (13 times starting) and scored five goals in two Serie A seasons. In a 2013 interview, he claimed to have been ostracised at the club, and bullied by his captain, Marco Materazzi.[3]

In the 2002 FIFA World Cup on home soil, Ahn tied the game against the United States, and during his goal celebration he imitated a speed skater in reference to the controversial disqualification of Korean short track speed skater Kim Dong-sung in the 1500 metres at the 2002 Winter Olympics, allowing American Apolo Ohno to win the gold medal. Ahn missed a penalty, but later scored a golden goal in extra-time from a header in the controverse round of 16 game against Italy that sent the South Koreans through to the quarter-finals.[4]

The next day, Perugia owner Luciano Gaucci cancelled his contract and was quoted as saying, "I have no intention of paying a salary to someone who has ruined Italian football." Gaucci stated that his decision was not due to the goal, alleging comments by Ahn about the Italian nation. South Korean national manager Guus Hiddink criticised the decision. Gaucci later took back what he had said, and attempted to take up the £1.2 million option to sign Ahn on a permanent basis. Ahn rejected the offer of a three-year contract and refused to turn up for pre-season training despite Perugia claiming ownership of his registration, saying "I will no longer discuss my transfer to Perugia, who attacked my character instead of congratulating me for a goal in the World Cup." Busan also claimed that they had not been paid by Perugia.[5][6][7]

Ahn with MSV Duisburg in 2006

Ahn then attempted to secure a permanent move to another European club but failed and returned to Asia, joining J1 League's Shimizu S-Pulse. After one season, he moved to another J1 League team, Yokohama F. Marinos. After this successful spell in Japan, he returned to Europe to play for Ligue 1 team FC Metz in July 2005. He scored 2 goals (Round 1 & 18) in 16 outings. On 16 January 2006, Ahn was invited to train with Blackburn Rovers but twice failed to show up, one of the dates being on his birthday. In February, he secured a 17-month deal with MSV Duisburg in Germany. He scored two goals (Round 31 and 32) in 12 outings. However, the German club was relegated from the Bundesliga, as Ahn saw a move to Heart of Midlothian of the Scottish Premier League fall through. On 31 August 2006, he was released by Duisburg, and returned to South Korea in January 2007, joining Suwon Samsung Bluewings on a one-year deal.[8]

Previously, Ahn was selected for South Korea's 2006 FIFA World Cup squad in Germany, and came off the bench to score the winner in Korea's 2–1 opening match win over Togo, after coming from a goal down at halftime. Thus, he became Asian football career leader in goals scored in the World Cup, with three. On 14 March 2007, Ahn scored his first goal of the season against Daejeon Citizen, with a first-half pass from Lee Kwan-woo. He went on to score a hat-trick in the 4–0 win, in only his third game of the season. However, his poor performance became longer and he was left out of the national team for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.[9]

In 2008, Ahn returned to the Daewoo Royals, now renamed Busan IPark. In 2008, he steadily improved his game and overall performances and, for the first time in 22 months, was recalled to the national team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifications match against Jordan.[10]

In March 2009, Ahn signed a three-month contract with Chinese Super League side Dalian Shide. He became the key player in the club and extended his contract to December 2010 with Dalian Shide in June, despite that J2 League club Oita Trinita had an intention to sign him. Ahn was promoted to team captain in the 2010 season. Ahn officially announced his retirement on 30 January 2012.[11][12]

Ahn was one of the carriers of the Olympic flame at the opening of the 2018 Winter Olympics.[13]

Ahn is sometimes called "The Lord of the Ring" by Korean fans. He married former Miss Korea Lee Hye-won in 2001 and got this nickname by kissing his wedding ring after every goal he scores.[14]

Other than football, Ahn is noted for his model-like looks and has appeared in numerous make-up ads. The Korean media often states the similar facial appearance between the footballer and actor Cha In-pyo. Both view the statement as a compliment.[15]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ahn Jung-Hwan.

• Ahn Jung-hwan – K League stats at kleague.com (in Korean)
• Ahn Jung-hwan – National Team Stats at KFA (in Korean)
• Ahn Jung-hwan – FIFA competition record
• Ahn Jung-hwan at National-Football-Teams.com
• Ahn Jung-hwan at J.League (in Japanese)
• Official website
• Ahn Jung-hwan at cafe.daum.net