Choi Jin-cheul (born 26 March 1971) is a South Korean football manager and former player.
Club career Choi played only for K League club Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors during his professional career. He played 312 games for Jeonbuk in the K League (including Korean League Cup). He was a well-built centre-back and was strong on aerial duels and tussles.
A forward during his school days, Choi played as a striker while Jeonbuk striker Kim Do-hoon was on loan to J.League club Vissel Kobe for two years in 1998 and 1999. He had 17 goals and 8 assists including a hat-trick during that time.
After winning an AFC Champions League title in 2006, Choi was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
International career Choi was an influential centre-back in South Korea national team. He made 65 appearances for the national team including matches in 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup. He formed a strong defense with Hong Myung-bo and Kim Tae-young during the 2002 World Cup.
Personal life In November 2021, Choi signed with DH Entertainment.
Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsSangmu FC (draft)1994Semipro Leaguecolspan="2"|—1995Semipro Leaguecolspan="2"|—Total—Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors1996K League27021——2911997K League90122——2121998K League116162——2781999K League26792——3592000K League25271——3232001K League21040112612002K League23010—2402003K League33140———3712004K League1712041102422005K League19020111——3212006K League1610040101303322007K League140101021—181Total241189071101225133831Career total241189071101225133831
International +Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsSouth Korea199710200140200220120038020041522005312006140Career total654
Results list South Korea's goal tally first. +List of international goals scored by Choi Jin-cheul No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition1 30 January 2002 Pasadena, United States 1–2 1–3 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup2 10 July 2004 Gwangju, South Korea 2–0 2–0 Friendly3 13 October 2004 Beirut, Lebanon 1–0 1–1 2006 FIFA World Cup Qualification4 16 November 2005 Seoul, South Korea 1–0 2–0 Friendly
Filmography Television Year Title Role Note(s) 2018 God of Football with Hiddink Himself 2021–present Kick a Goal Himself 2022 Gundesliga Himself
Honours Player Sangmu FC Korean Semi-professional League (Spring): 1994
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Korean FA Cup: 2000, 2003, 2005 Korean Super Cup: 2004 AFC Champions League: 2006 Asian Cup Winners' Cup runner-up: 2001–02
South Korea B East Asian Games: 1993
South Korea EAFF Championship: 2003
Individual K League All-Star: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 K League 1 Best XI: 2002, 2003, 2006 AFC Champions League Most Valuable Player: 2006
Television personality + List of awards and nominations received by TV personality Choi Jin-cheul Award ceremony Year Category Nominated work Result SBS Entertainment Awards 2022 Leader of the Year Award Kick a Goal
Notes
References
External links Choi Jin-cheul – National Team Stats at KFA