Cha Bum-kun
Awards & Honours
7
Awards Won
4
Honours
2
Rankings
3
Records
Cha Bum-kun's achievements are nothing short of historic. He stands as the only Asian player to win the UEFA Cup with two different clubs, a feat that underscores his longevity and adaptability. His three consecutive wins of the Asian Footballer of the Year award broke new ground for Asian representation in individual honors. Being inducted into both the Korean and German Football Halls of Fame places him in a rare category of players who are celebrated equally in their homeland and their adopted home. His influence extends beyond trophies; he changed the narrative of what Asian players could achieve in Europe, inspiring generations of stars who followed.
Awards
Honours & Distinctions
Korean Football Hall of Fame Induction
Inducted for his outstanding contributions to Korean football history.
German Football Hall of Fame Induction
Recognized as one of the greatest foreign players in Bundesliga history.
FIFA Order of Merit
Awarded for significant contributions to the development of football globally.
Honorary Doctorate
Received for his cultural and sporting contributions to South Korea.
Rankings & Lists
Greatest Asian Player of the 20th Century
Greatest Asian Footballer in History
Records & Feats
Youngest Player to Reach 100 International Caps
Reached 100 caps at 24 years and 35 days, a world record at the time.
First Asian Player to Win UEFA Cup Twice
Won the UEFA Cup with two different clubs: Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen.
Most Consecutive Asian Footballer of the Year Awards
Won the award three consecutive times from 1980 to 1982.