"Why are you resting if your ribs aren't broken?" Choi Jun, carried away on a stretcher, protected Seoul's lead with his 'steel ribcage'... "Running is better than resting" [Sangam Field]

*This content was translated by AI.

Even a severe rib contusion could not stop Choi Jun (28) from sprinting.

Seoul secured a 3-0 victory over Bucheon FC in their Round 9 home match of the 'Hana Bank K League 1 2026' held at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 21st.

After a winless streak since the season opener, Seoul suffered their first defeat against Daejeon Hana Citizen in their previous match. They bounced back with a win, leading the table with 22 points (7 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss) among the 12th teams.

The most notable name on the starting lineup before the match was right-back Choi Jun. In the previous match against Daejeon, Choi Jun collided for an aerial ball and fell, suffering a strong impact to his ribs from an opponent's foot. Clutching his chest in pain, he was unable to get up and was carried off on a stretcher.

Fortunately, detailed examinations revealed no bone abnormalities, and Choi Jun insisted on playing despite the severe contusion. Coach Kim Ki-dong stated before the match, "(Choi) Jun said it was better to play than to rest, so we included him in the starting lineup."

Choi Jun then delivered a perfect performance, constantly moving up and down the right flank. With his characteristic tenacious man-marking and spirited play, he neutralized the opponent's wing attacks, while creating scoring opportunities with sharp overlapping runs and crosses during attacks.

Meeting Choi Jun in the mixed zone after the match, he said, "I had an X-ray taken, and fortunately, my ribs weren't broken; I was diagnosed with a severe contusion. The hospital also said there was no major issue, so I rejoined the team immediately. Although it was painful, I believed that as an athlete, I shouldn't rest unless my bones were broken," explaining his reason for playing.

He also shared the story behind his call to Coach Kim Ki-dong. Choi Jun said, "I called the coach immediately after visiting the hospital. He asked if I was okay, and I told him I was completely fine and that not being able to play would be more unusual." He added, "The coach left the decision to me, and I said I would play."

He then added, "I don't think I'm in pain right now. Playing full-time continuously has been physically demanding, but it's okay because I'll have time to rest soon," showing a calm demeanor.

He also shared his honest thoughts on Seoul's changed atmosphere this season. When asked about the biggest difference from previous seasons, he pointed to "the players' mindset." Choi Jun explained, "We had a strong will not to give up, and we felt it was crucial to start the season well. I think the lessons we learned from matches against Japanese teams like Vissel Kobe during winter training greatly helped us navigate the league."

He also opened up about the struggles of managing his condition amidst a tight schedule. Regarding the alternating day and night matches, he said, "After playing at night, I end up sleeping late, and then I have to prepare for another match after recovery training the next day, making it difficult to adjust my sleep pattern. However, I believe I must do my best as a player to adapt."

As for the upcoming weekend trip to Gangwon, he said, "Eating well and resting well is the priority. Especially for day matches, which are physically demanding, players need to adjust their condition patterns accordingly," showing his determination.

Regarding Seoul being mentioned as a title contender, he maintained a calm attitude. Choi Jun said, "I think it's more important not to focus on that goal (winning the title). I just think about each match in front of us, and if we win match by match, we'll find ourselves in that position eventually. I believe all our team players think the same way," expressing confidence.

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*This content was translated by AI.