[Graphic News] Real Madrid becomes world’s most valuable soccer club

Forbes has named Real Madrid the world’s most valuable soccer club, with a valuation of $6.75 billion - a 2 percent increase from 2024. The Spanish giant also became the first soccer club in history to surpass $1 billion in annual revenue, reporting $1.13 billion for the 2023-24 season. Manchester United ranked second at $6.6 billion with $834 million in revenue, followed by Barcelona at $5.65 billion. According to Forbes, the top 30 clubs are now collectively worth more than $72 billion, averag

June 19, 2025

[Graphic News] Korean soccer stars shine in Europe

In the 2025 season, South Korean soccer reached new heights as three national stars — Kim Min-jae, Lee Kang-in and Son Heung-min — each lifted major trophies with their European clubs. Kim Min-jae anchored Bayern Munich’s defense en route to winning the 2024–25 Bundesliga, securing his first German league title. In doing so, he became the first Korean player to win top-flight championships in two of Europe’s Big Five leagues, having previously triumphed in Serie A with Napoli. Lee Kang-in enjoye

June 12, 2025

S. Korea coach looking to test young players ahead of World Cup

With South Korea having locked down their World Cup berth early, head coach Hong Myung-bo said Friday he will use the team's one final qualifying match to test young and unproven players. Hong and the rest of the team received a hero's welcome home at Incheon International Airport, just west of Seoul, on Friday evening, some 12 hours after securing their 2026 World Cup ticket by beating Iraq 2-0 in Basra, southern Iraq, in their latest qualifying match. South Korea will compete in their 11th con

June 6, 2025

S. Korea beats Iraq to qualify for its 11th straight World Cup

South Korea on Thursday defeated Iraq 2-0 to clinch a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the team will make its 11th consecutive appearance — likely a last hurrah for its captain Son Heung-min. Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu came off the bench to score a goal apiece in the Group B match at Basra International Stadium in Basra, southern Iraq. The two rivals were locked in a stalemate for the first half, but after Iraqi forward Ali Al-Hamadi was sent off for a high foot against Cho Yu-min opport

June 6, 2025

Super subs lift S. Korea to early World Cup berth

After the starters couldn't get anything going, super subs stepped up for South Korea and helped the country grab an early berth for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. South Korea blanked Iraq 2-0 for their latest Group B victory in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers at Basra International Stadium in Basra, Iraq, on Thursday (local time). South Korea are tops in Group B with 19 points, three more than Jordan, and those two countries have qualified for the World Cup as the top two seeds in t

June 6, 2025

K League's top scorer named to S. Korean squad on verge of World Cup qualification

The leading scorer in the South Korean league has earned his first national team call-up with the country on the verge of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Head coach Hong Myung-bo announced his 26-man squad on Monday for the Taegeuk Warriors' two remaining matches in Group B in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors forward Jeon Jin-woo, who is leading the K League 1 with 10 goals this season, made the national team for the first time at age 25. He has n

May 26, 2025

Son Heung-min, undisputed Tottenham legend, wins 1st major title for club in 17 years

It's official: Son Heung-min has declared himself a sports legend as he fulfilled his pledge to lead Tottenham Hotspur to a major trophy, as Wednesday's Europa League final over Manchester United ended the club's 17-year championship drought. "Let's say I am a legend, why not! Only today!" the 32-year-old Spurs captain told TNT Sports after his team lifted the coveted trophy. “In 17 years, nobody (with Tottenham) has done it, so with such amazing players — yeah, today’s the day. Probably I will

May 22, 2025

Tottenham's Son Heung-min pursues 1st trophy in Europa League final vs. Manchester United

Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean captain Son Heung-min will be chasing his first trophy this week, with his club taking on Manchester United in the final of the UEFA Europa League in Spain. The one-and-done final will kick off at 9 p.m. Wednesday at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao. Spurs are trying to win their first trophy since winning the English Football League Cup in the 2007-08 season. A victory over the fellow Premier League side will also put Spurs in the top continental competition, the UEF

May 20, 2025

Tottenham star Son Heung-min extorted by ex for $214,000 over pregnancy claim: report

Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min was extorted by a former girlfriend, who claimed to be pregnant with his child, prompting the player to pay her over 300 million won ($214,000), according to a police investigation and local media reports. Seoul Gangnam Police confirmed Friday the arrest of two suspects — a woman in her 20s and a man in his 40s — over attempted extortion targetting the South Korean football star. The arrests were made Wednesday and the police carried out searches of their

May 16, 2025

Son Heung-min to miss Tottenham's Europa League semifinal match with foot injury

Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean captain Son Heung-min will not play in a crucial continental match for the English side this week due to a foot injury. Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou confirmed Wednesday that Son had not traveled to Norway with the rest of the Premier League club for the second leg of the semifinals of the UEFA Europa League against Bodo/Glimt. The match is scheduled for 9 p.m. Thursday in Bodo, northern Norway, or 4 a.m. Friday. Son will miss his seventh consecutive match fo

May 8, 2025

Lee Kang-in, PSG reach UEFA Champions League final

Paris Saint-Germain and their South Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in are headed to the final of Europe's premier club football tournament. PSG defeated Arsenal 2-1 in the second leg of the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League at Parc des Princes in Paris on Wednesday and advanced to the championship match thanks to a 3-1 aggregate win. PSG will make their second appearance in the UEFA Champions League final at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, against the Italian side Inter Milan, who knocked of

May 8, 2025

Lee Kang-in stays on bench in PSG's win in UEFA Champions League semis

South Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in watched from the bench as his Paris Saint-Germain stepped closer to the final of the top European club football tournament. PSG defeated Arsenal 1-0 in the first leg of the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League at Emirates Stadium in London on Tuesday. Ousmane Dembele's fourth-minute goal stood as the winner for PSG, who can book a ticket to the final with just a draw in the return leg at Parc des Princes in Paris next Wednesday. PSG's only other appearance

April 30, 2025

Underdogs Gwangju FC set to duel richer, deeper Al Hilal at AFC Champions League Elite

Gwangju FC will try to add a new chapter to their underdog story when they take on a heavily favored Saudi Arabian opponent in a knockout match at the top Asian club football tournament this week. Gwangju FC, the lone remaining K League 1 club, will face Al Hilal in the quarterfinals of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League Elite at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, or 1:30 a.m. Saturday. After the two-legged round of 16, the quarterfinal

April 24, 2025

Lee Kang-in sits as PSG reach UEFA Champions League semifinals

South Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in remained on the bench as his club, Paris Saint-Germain, advanced to the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League. PSG lost to Aston Villa 3-2 in the second leg of the quarterfinals at the top European club competition at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, on Tuesday but hung on for a 5-4 win on aggregate to move on to the next stage. PSG claimed the first leg 3-1 last week, with Lee also on the bench. PSG are now a step closer to a treble. They have already cli

April 16, 2025

Ulsan HD coach feels 'significant responsibility' as lone S. Korean team at FIFA Club World Cup

Representing South Korea at the expanded FIFA Club World Cup this summer will bring both a sense of pride and responsibility to Ulsan HD FC, head coach Kim Pan-gon said. In a recent interview with FIFA, Kim spoke of doing the country proud at the tournament featuring 32 of the world's best football clubs. The United States will host the tournament from June 14 to July 13. "I feel proud, but I also acknowledge the significant responsibility in representing South Korea and the Asian continent," Ki

March 29, 2025