It is subjective to determine the best footballers ever in South Korea, as it often depends on personal opinions and criteria such as individual achievements, team success, impact on the sport, and style of play. However, here are some of the most widely recognized and highly regarded footballers in South Korea's history:
Cha Bum-Kun: A legendary striker, Cha is widely considered as one of the greatest Asian footballers of all time. He had a successful career in Europe, playing for clubs such as Eintracht Frankfurt, Leverkusen, and Osnabrück.
Lee Dong-Gook: Lee is the all-time leading scorer for the South Korean national team and has had a successful club career in South Korea, Japan, and China.
Park Ji-Sung: Park is a former Manchester United player and is widely regarded as one of the best Asian footballers to have played in Europe. He won numerous titles with the Red Devils, including four Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.
Hong Myung-Bo: A former defender, Hong is one of the most decorated footballers in South Korean history, with a long list of individual and team awards, including the Asian Player of the Year award in 1997.
Son Heung-Min: A current player, Son has had a successful club career in Europe, playing for clubs such as Bayer Leverkusen, Tottenham Hotspur, and Bayern Munich. He has also been a key player for the South Korean national team.
These are just a few examples, and there are many other footballers who have made significant contributions to South Korean football and deserve recognition.