Stats by Nakayama#9, updated by ttt1009
Name: Kim Nam-Il
Nickname: "Vacuum Cleaner", "Hidden Gem"
Country:
South KoreaClub: Chunnam Dragons (Jeonam Dragons), Excelsior (2002-2003 Loan), Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Position: *DMF, CMF
Side: RF/BS
Age: 25-29 years (01/05/1977)
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 76 kg
Attack: 66
Defence: 78
Balance: 85
Stamina: 86
Top Speed: 76
Acceleration: 73
Response: 85
Agility: 75
Dribble Accuracy: 74
Dribble Speed: 71
Short Pass Accuracy: 80
Short Pass Speed: 78
Long Pass Accuracy: 82
Long Pass Speed: 84
Shot Accuracy: 62
Shot Power: 84
Shot Technique: 63
Free Kick Accuracy: 66
Curling: 68
Header: 83
Jump: 86
Technique: 79
Aggression: 68
Mentality: 87
Keeper Skills: 50
Team Work: 82
Injury Tolerance: C
Condition/Fitness: 5
Weak Foot Accuracy: 7
Weak Foot frequency: 6
Consistency: 6
Growth type: Standard/Lasting
CARDS:
S02: Passer
S05: 1-Touch Play
S08: Slide Tackle
S09: Covering
P02: Anchor Man
P12: Enforcer
SPECIAL ABILITIES: Center - Sliding - Covering - 1-Touch Pass - Passing
Attack/Defence Awareness Card: Balanced
INFO
Kim Nam-il is remembered as one of South Korea’s defining defensive midfielders of the 2000s, rising to worldwide attention during the national team’s historic 2002 World Cup run. He began his senior club career with Jeonnam Dragons, then spent a brief period in the Netherlands in 2003 (joining Feyenoord on loan and playing on loan for Excelsior) before returning to Asia and building a long, leadership-heavy career across the K League and J League, with additional time in Russia. Over those years he became valued less for highlight numbers and more for the control, bite, and competitive edge he gave his teams in big matches.
Kim was a classic “anchor” midfielder: aggressive in duels, relentless in pressing, and disciplined about protecting central spaces in front of the back line. While he’s often labeled primarily a destroyer, he also had real distribution tools—comfortable passing with either left or right foot, able to switch play under pressure, and capable of launching accurate long balls to start counters or change the point of attack quickly. He competed well in the air for a midfielder, using timing and strength to win aerial challenges and second balls, which helped his teams hold territory and regain momentum when matches turned physical.