Stats by Nakayama#9, updated by ttt1009
Name: HONG Myung-bo
Nickname: ''Eternal Libero'' (“영원한 리베로”), "Asia's Beckenbauer"
Country:
Republic of South KoreaClub: Bellmare Hiratsuka (Shonan Bellmare), Kashiwa Reysol, Pohang Steelers
Number: 20
Position: *SWP, CB, DMF
Side: RF/BS
Age: 29-33 years (12/02/1969)
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 73 kg
Attack: 72
Defence: 83
Balance: 78
Stamina: 80
Top Speed: 77
Acceleration: 76
Response: 80
Agility: 75
Dribble Accuracy: 77
Dribble Speed: 75
Short Pass Accuracy: 83
Short Pass Speed: 80
Long Pass Accuracy: 85
Long Pass Speed: 81
Shot Accuracy: 70
Shot Power: 87
Shot Technique: 73
Free Kick Accuracy: 74
Curling: 68
Header: 75
Jump: 79
Technique: 78
Aggression: 76
Mentality: 82
Keeper Skills: 50
Team Work: 84
Injury Tolerance: B
Form/Condition/Fitness: 6
Weak Foot Accuracy: 8
Weak Foot Frequency: 7
Consistency: 7
Growth type: Standard Lasting
CARDS:
P10: Long Ranger
P16: Extra Attacker
S05: 1-Touch Play
S09: Covering
S10: DF Leader
SPECIAL ABILITIES: Middle Shooting - Covering - D-Line Control - 1-Touch Pass
Attack/Defence Awareness Card: Balanced
INFO
Hong Myung-bo’s career is defined by longevity, leadership, and big-stage composure. He rose in Korea as a top talent with Pohang Steelers, became a pillar of the national team across the 1990s and early 2000s, and went on to play abroad in Japan before later finishing with a stint in MLS. Internationally, he’s best remembered as the captain and organizer of South Korea’s 2002 World Cup side.
Hong is often described as a “midfielder’s brain” in a defender’s role. He started out in midfield and had outstanding distribution, but his close-control and physical contact wasn’t ideally suited to pro midfield play, he was shifted into a sweeper/libero position where he had more space and time to read the game. That role emphasized his strengths: positioning, anticipation, interceptions, and well-timed sliding tackles, plus the ability to pass confidently with either foot. He wasn't good at 1-on-1 defending —quick attackers could get past him, and he wasn’t known for elite physical strength, reactions, or agility—but he compensated by seeing danger early and controlling matches with his range of passing. He also offered a real threat from distance, striking long shots and producing memorable, spectacular goals from outside the box.