The path of the 'ace at No. 7' pioneered by Son Heung-min is now being followed by five Korean successors... from Lee Kang-in, who hopes to become an 'ATM', to Seol Young-woo, the 'unique No. 7'. Europe is now on high alert for the 'K-7' wave.

*This content was translated by AI.

The stature of South Korean players performing on the European stage has risen even further. It is no longer just about filling a spot in the squad; more players are now donning the symbolic number '7', which represents a team's core.

Until now, the definitive name for the 'Korean No. 7' on the European stage was undoubtedly Son Heung-min. Currently, Son Heung-min (LAFC) has moved his stage to Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States and continues to thrive while wearing his signature number 7. The status of 'Asian ace' and the legacy of the No. 7 jersey that he firmly established in Europe are now extending to successors across the continent.

In soccer, the number 7 was originally assigned to wingers on the flanks, but over time it became the exclusive domain of superstar players who defined the era, expanding its meaning. Today, it is recognized as a symbolic number given to 'cracks'—players with dazzling skills who can turn the tide of a game—or to the top ace who leads the team's attack.

This season, five Korean players are wearing this glorious No. 7 jersey on the European stage: Lee Kang-in (Atletico Madrid), Hwang Hee-chan (Schalke 04), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz 05), Seol Young-woo (Augsburg), and Jeon Jin-woo (Oxford).

The most eye-catching player is undoubtedly Lee Kang-in. This summer, after leaving Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Lee Kang-in joined Atletico and inherited the No. 7 jersey of 'legend' Antoine Griezmann. This demonstrates the immense expectations that a La Liga powerhouse club has for Lee Kang-in. The No. 7 jersey sold out immediately upon his signing. The club anticipates that Lee Kang-in's jersey sales this season will be more than five times higher than those of the previous No. 7, Griezmann.

Lee Jae-sung, the 'center of Mainz', has also been performing brilliantly while holding onto the No. 7 jersey for several years. Hwang Hee-chan, who transferred to German Bundesliga side Schalke 04 this summer, wore the No. 7 jersey instead of his previous No. 11 at Wolverhampton. On the 12th, making his debut in a new kit, he provided an assist in his debut match, signaling a promising start.

The unusual assignment of numbers that breaks positional boundaries also draws attention. Seol Young-woo, a full-back on the flank, donned the No. 7 jersey at Augsburg—a number traditionally reserved for attackers. This may be a result of his recognized exceptional attacking instinct. In the 2024–2025 season while playing for Zvezda, Seol Young-woo recorded a total of 14 attacking points (6 goals and 8 assists), demonstrating an 'attacking instinct' that rivals even established attackers.

Jeon Jin-woo at Oxford in the English Championship also changed from his previous No. 32 to the No. 7, which symbolizes an ace. New manager Aaron Ramsey entrusted him with the No. 7 jersey, expressing trust and expectations that he will play a key role for the team.

Most of the players mentioned above are proving their worth in wearing the No. 7 jersey by performing brilliantly in the early stages of the season. This is different from the past, when simply participating in Europe was considered significant. Now, Korean league players have firmly established themselves as core elements of their teams' tactics. This shows that the status of South Korean players on the European stage has changed accordingly.

Their performances are directly linked to an increase in the strength of the national team. The match sharpness they have honed while playing as aces for their clubs is being fully transferred into competitive power for the national team. Attention is now focused on what kind of results these European-based players wearing No. 7 will achieve with So Sok-tim-gwa (CEO)'s team.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.