Ahn Jung-hwan

Ahn Jung-hwan (, or  ; born 27 January 1976) is a South Korean television personality and former professional footballer. A versatile forward known for his technical skills and clutch goalscoring, Ahn represented South Korea at three FIFA World Cups, notably scoring a golden goal against Italy in 2002. Following his retirement, Ahn transitioned into a successful career in broadcasting, becoming a popular football commentator and television host. He is also recognised for his philanthropic endeavors.

Early life
Ahn Jung-hwan was raised in poverty by his grandmother after his father passed away, leaving his mother unable to care for him. Despite his grandmother's initial concerns, Ahn joined his elementary school's football team, drawn to the bread and milk they provided. He quickly discovered his talent for the sport and began to excel.

University career
Ahn's exceptional skills in high school attracted numerous offers from universities, including prestigious institutions like Yonsei University and Korea University. However, Ahn ultimately chose Ajou University due to their enticing offer, which included a substantial signing bonus and a guaranteed draft pick by the professional team Busan Daewoo Royals (later Busan IPark) upon graduation. Additionally, Ajou University agreed to Ahn's condition of accepting his entire high school team, solidifying his decision.

Ahn's presence at Ajou University ushered in a golden era for the team. A legendary moment occurred during the 1997 Autumn University Football League final against Hongik University. Ahn, returning from Italy after participating in the Summer Universiade, arrived directly from the airport at the match during the second half with Ajou University trailing 2-1. Despite his exhaustion from the long flight, Ahn scored two goals and provided an assist, leading Ajou University to a dramatic victory. His consistently outstanding performance throughout his university years, including his contribution to Ajou University's championship victory, led to his signing with the Busan Daewoo Royals, where he quickly rose to prominence, becoming one of the K League Best XI in his debut year and winning the Most Valuable Player award in 1999.

Busan Daewoo Royals
In 1998, Ahn started his professional career at K League club Busan Daewoo Royals. He was selected as one of the K League Best XI that year after showing great performance as soon as he went there. The next year, in 1999, he was named the K League Most Valuable Player by leading his team to finish as runners-up in the K League.

Loan to Perugia
In 2000, Ahn joined Perugia on loan, becoming the first South Korean footballer to play in Italy's Serie A. Despite facing challenges integrating into the team due to racist remarks from teammate Marco Materazzi and limited playing time, Ahn made 30 appearances including 13 starts and scored five goals over two seasons.

His time at Perugia was marked by his performance at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he scored a crucial golden goal against Italy, leading to their elimination. The following day, Perugia's owner Luciano Gaucci controversially terminated Ahn's contract, citing his goal as the reason and making xenophobic remarks about Ahn and the Korean nation. This decision was widely condemned as discriminatory and sparked a global outcry.

Gaucci later retracted his decision and approved an option to sign Ahn on a permanent basis, but Ahn had a legal dispute with the club after refusing it. After FIFA intervened, Ahn was required to pay Perugia a compensation fee, which he did with the help of a Japanese entertainment company. This incident led to Ahn spending the next three years playing in the J1 League instead of big leagues in Europe.

Shimizu S-Pulse
In 2002, following a legal dispute with Perugia, Ahn joined Shimizu S-Pulse in the J1 League. Despite the circumstances surrounding his transfer, he quickly adapted to Japanese football, scoring 7 goals in 16 appearances during his first season, including matches in the J.League Cup, Emperor's Cup, and AFC Champions League qualifiers. He continued to maintain his form in the 2003 season, becoming the club's top scorer with 11 goals in 28 league appearances.

Yokohama F. Marinos
In 2004, Ahn transferred to Yokohama F. Marinos, the reigning J1 League champions. He quickly established himself as a key player, leading Yokohama to win the first stage. Although his performance was not continued in the second half of the season due to a mid-season injury, he became the team's top scorer with 12 goals in 25 league appearances. Yokohama secured back-to-back league titles by defeating second stage champions Urawa Red Diamonds in the championship play-offs after his contribution.

In 2005, Ahn continuously showed his impressive form, scoring four goals in nine appearances before receiving an offer from Ligue 1 club Metz.

Metz
In July 2005, Ahn signed a one-year contract with Metz in the Ligue 1. Another J1 League club Nagoya Grampus offered about four times more salary than Metz, but he chose to return to Europe. However, he underperformed at Metz, scoring only 2 goals in 16 league matches. Metz struggled throughout the season, eventually facing relegation even after Ahn left the club in winter.

MSV Duisburg
In January 2006, Blackburn Rovers invited Ahn to a tryout for them, but Ahn refused their offer in order to request a definite deal. In February, he secured a 17-month deal with Bundesliga club MSV Duisburg. He aimed to acclimate to the environment of Germany, the host country of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, ahead of the tournament. He scored two goals in 12 outings, and Duisburg was relegated to the 2. Bundesliga. He was interested in a move to Heart of Midlothian of the Scottish Premier League after the end of the season, but it fell through. Released by Duisburg in August, he returned to South Korea.

Suwon Samsung Bluewings
In January 2007, Ahn joined K League club Suwon Samsung Bluewings on a one-year deal. He initially showed promise, scoring a hat-trick in a League Cup match against Daejeon Citizen. However, his performance declined, and he was left out of the national team for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup. While playing for the reserve team in a R League match to regain his ability, Ahn tried to get into the stand after being verbally abused by FC Seoul fans. Although he was not protected from their impolite insults, he was ejected from the match and had to pay a fine.

Ahn's stint at Suwon was ultimately underwhelming, scoring 5 goals without a league goal in 25 appearances. He left the club at the end of the season.

Return to Busan
In 2008, Ahn returned to his former club, now known as Busan IPark. His performance at Busan was statistically not outstanding, but set an example for his teammates. Busan offered him a contract extension including the best treatment in the team after the season, but he looked forward to playing in one of foreign leagues, especially the Major League Soccer.

Dalian Shide
On 20 March 2009, Ahn joined Chinese Super League side Dalian Shide on a seven-month contract until the end of the 2009 season. Quickly attracted to Ahn's performance, Dalian executives extended his contract for another year in less than three months. Despite his old age, he played a key role in Dalian's attack, becoming the team's top scorer in 2009 and 2010. Especially, Dalian reached fourth place in the league standing with three matches left of the 2010 season, approaching an AFC Champions League berth under his influence. However, a knee injury sidelined him for the last matches, and his team finished sixth after failing to earn any victories during his absence.

Ahn re-signed with Dalian for the 2011 season, but his prime was finished that year. On 29 October 2011, he wore the captain's armband in his last match at Dalian, and bade farewell to Dalian fans at half-time of the match. He announced his retirement as a player in January 2012.

Early career
In 1994, Ahn was selected for the South Korean under-20 team for the AFC Youth Championship. About three years later, on 23 April 1997, he made his senior international debut in a 2–0 friendly win over China. He also played for the South Korean Universiade team in the 1997 Summer Universiade in August, winning a silver medal.

2002 World Cup
Ahn took charge of South Korea's striker position with Hwang Sun-hong in rotation at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Despite initial doubts from national team manager Guus Hiddink, Ahn gained the manager's trust in pre-tournament friendlies. Especially in a 4–1 win over Scotland, he destroyed the opponents by having two goals and an assist.

In the second group stage match against the United States, Ahn scored a equaliser which saved his team from defeat. In the Round of 16 match against Italy, he missed an early penalty, but later scored a dramatic golden goal in extra time, securing South Korea's historic advancement to the quarter-finals. This goal is considered one of the most iconic moments in World Cup and South Korean football. In the third place match against Turkey, his shot hit the opponents' net, but was not recognised as a goal by an offside call. He was shortlisted for the All-Star Team by his contribution to South Korea's top-four finish.

"'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 victory over Hong Kong, while helping South Korea win the inaugural EAFF Championship in 2003. His reputation in South Korea at the time was transcendental. He was undergoing basic military training instead of mandatory military service, from which he was specially exempt by an outcome at the 2002 World Cup, but exceptionally got a vacation in the middle of the training to play a friendly against Argentina.

On the other hand, Ahn had less opportunity to play at the AFC Asian Cup. He was not called up for the 2000 and 2007 tournaments due to his slumps at clubs. At the 2004 tournament, his first and last Asian Cup, he played as a substitute in three subsequent matches after showing a lethargic harmony with Jo Bonfrère's first-choice striker Lee Dong-gook in the first match. Despite his limited playing time, he scored against the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

2006 World Cup
Ahn played as a substitute for South Korea in three group stage matches at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. In the opening match against Togo, he was named the official Man of the Match by scoring the winning goal, which brought South Korea's precious victory. He also became Asia's all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history with three goals. Despite his contribution, South Korea failed to progress beyond the group stage, finishing third in their group.

Retirement
Ahn was no longer South Korea's key player after the 2006 World Cup, but was selected for the national team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup due to his experiences as a veteran. However, he did not play in any matches at the 2010 World Cup until South Korea was eliminated by Uruguay in the Round of 16. In an interview after 10 years, then manager Huh Jung-moo revealed he really wanted to use Ahn in the middle of the match against Uruguay, but finally chose Lee Dong-gook as a substitute after judging that Ahn's physical condition was not recovered.

Ahn announced his retirement as a player on 31 January 2012. He had a retirement ceremony at half-time in a World Cup qualifier against Kuwait on 29 February.

Style of play
Ahn's technical gifts for passing, dribbling and shooting based on two-footed ability could deploy him in any attacking position, and led him to be called the "fantasista" in South Korea. He looked comfortable when playing as an attacking midfielder, but also could play as a winger or striker. However, he had some drawbacks such as lack of physical strength and defensive contribution.

"'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 retiring from professional football, Ahn has usually worked as a television personality. He is considered one of the most successful athletes-turned-comedians in South Korea, alongside Kang Ho-dong and Seo Jang-hoon. His unaffected and sharp talking has attracted a lot of viewers. He also hosted some television shows including Please Take Care of My Refrigerator.

Ahn has worked as a football commentator, and has provided live commentaries of South Korea's football matches broadcast by Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation since 2014.

In 2012, Ahn was appointed an honorary ambassador for the K League. He toured all 16 stadiums of K League clubs and invited his teammates at the 2002 World Cup to the K League All-Star Game. He was acclaimed for his enthusiastic publicity campaign.

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

Ahn, who steadily volunteered his services and donations since becoming footballer, was appointed an honorary ambassador for Save the Children in 2019. Until 2023, he donated ₩300 million, the profits from his YouTube channel, to Save the Children and participated in various charity activities.

In 2021, Ahn co-founded entertainment company "Moongchin Project".

Personal life
Ahn, who married former Miss Korea Lee Hye-won in 2001, has one daughter and one son. He was nicknamed The Lord of the Ring after kissing his wedding ring whenever he celebrated his goal, and his celebration became fashionable among South Koreans at the time.

Ahn is widely regarded as one of the most handsome footballers in South Korea. Before his retirement, his face was frequently compared with South Korean actors and appeared in various television advertisements.

International
Results list South Korea's goal tally first.

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
