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Another super talent has appeared.
The main character is Kim Min-soo (18, Girona), a striker born in 2006. Kim Min-soo made his 'surprise debut' in the 10th round of the Spanish Primera Liga in the 2024-2025 season against Real Sociedad at Munisipal de Montilivi in Girona, Spain on the 20th (Korea time). He was substituted in the 27th minute of the second half and walked on the ground. It is the eighth time a Korean player has played in the Primera Liga after Lee Chun-soo, Lee Ho-jin, Park Joo-young, Kim Young-kyu, Lee Kang-in, Baek Seung-ho and Ki Sung-yueng.
Kim Min-soo is a super prospect that Girona has cherished. Kim Min-soo went to Spain as a child after passing through Dongseon Elementary School and Gwangju Elementary School in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, and started living abroad. Kim Min-soo, who went through CE Mercantile and CF wall in 2020, joined the Girona U-19 (under 19) team in 2022. Kim Min-soo, who played well in the under-19 league by scoring three goals in four games, was immediately called up to Girona B team. Kim Min-soo, who also showed outstanding performance in Girona B team, was called one of the best talents in the academy. Recently, it received favorable reviews from local media as 'Girona's Pearl'.
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In fact, the possibility of participating in the first team has been raised since last season. He was also on the preseason list last summer, drawing attention. However, it was hampered by NON-EU regulations. Only three players from outside the European Union (EU) countries can be in the squad for the Primera Liga. Kim Min-soo showed his true value this season as well. He scored one goal and one assist against Feyenoord in the UEFA Youth League this season, and from Sport, Kim Min-soo is proving his skills to the next level. He was praised for showing his ability as a B-team player rather than a youth. Recently, main players in Girona's first team were given an opportunity as they collapsed due to string injuries. Before the game, Mitchell said, "We are short of players to play seven games in 21 days. We have to bring in five players from the academy." One of them was Kim Min-soo.
Kim Min-soo eventually made his dream Primera Liga debut. Kim Min-soo, who was waiting on the bench, was replaced by defender Alejandro Franses in the 27th minute of the second half and stepped on the ground. Kim Min-soo, who was deployed to the right wing, did not attempt to shoot, but he recorded 11 touches, 6 passes (6 attempts), 1 ground contest victory (2 attempts), and 1 tackle in 20 minutes. Soccer statistics media 'Sofa Score' gave a rating of 6.5 points. It is expected that he will be able to increase his playing time in a dense schedule by performing well since his debut.
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Kim Min-soo has the versatility to play not only the striker but also the entire second line. He is called the 'second Lee Kang-in ' due to his outstanding dribble breakthrough. It is evaluated that he has scoring ability and passing ability. What is encouraging is that it has a higher growth potential with speed. He is the same age as Yang Min-hyuk (Kangwon FC), who recently confirmed his trip to Tottenham, and if he grows as expected, he is expected to give another boost to Korea's second term.
Meanwhile, Girona lost 0-1 in the 44th minute after failing to make up for Mikel Oyarsabal's goal. Girona ranked 13th with 3 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses (12 points) this season. In particular, Kim Min-soo's participation also led to a mini-Korea-Japan match against Takefusa Kubo.
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
