Napoli defender Kim apologises after being at the centre of controversy

After South Korea lost to Uruguay on Tuesday during the International break with Kim Min-Jae played a role in that loss while representing his country.

In the midst of controversy, while representing South Korea internationally, Napoli defender Kim Min-Jae had to apologize to his teammates via an Instagram post. After Tuesday's 2-1 loss to Uruguay, the 26-year-old seemed unhappy with the question being thrown at him by reporters.

Kim Min-Jae unhappy with the reporters' questions

Kim was unhappy after South Korea lost to Uruguay and was questioned by reporters after the game but he gave them a cold response which caused a lot of controversies.

As quoted by Il Corriere dello Sport, Kim said, “I am mentally tired and I only want to focus on my club at the moment, not on the national team, I have nothing more to say now,” 

The Korean center-back apologized in an Instagram post on Wednesday morning after his remarks provoked controversy in his home nation.

He said, “I apologise to them and the players who were surprised by my words. I had a minor injury and I have recovered. I’ve played many games and I never spared myself. I collapsed mentally and had an outburst. I apologise again and ask the fans always to support us.”

Kim has been key to Napoli’s performance

Following an €18 million transfer from Fenerbahce this summer, Kim has been a crucial player for Luciano Spalletti's team this season, appearing in 35 games across all competitions. After a 2-0 victory over Atalanta on March 11, the Partenopei coach dubbed the 26-year-old the "greatest defender in the World," heaping accolades on the player.

The Partenopei are already attempting to prolong Kim's tenure at the club even if his contract at the Stadio Maradona expires in June 2025. This is especially true given that the Korean international has a €45 million clause in his deal.