Barcelona’s La Masia product the ‘Korean Messi’ is currently setting alight the Asian Football Confederation’s Under-16 tournament held in Thailand. Playing in the number 10 ‘Messi’ role for South Korea, Lee has netted five goals in four games at the tournament, which concludes with an intriguing all Korean final Saturday September 20th, 18:00 local Bangkok time.
Lee is already undoubtedly the player of the tournament in waiting; his Maradona-esque dribble and finish against arch-rivals Japan in the quarter-final is, without needing to give it higher praise, Maradona-esque. After coming up against Lee, Japanese U-16 defender Tomiyasu Takehiro said, “it felt like we were outnumbered [when Lee had the ball]. The Japanese U-16 were not the only ones to have trouble dealing with the slight 173cm framed South Korean whizz-kid.
His nimble feet and dribbling mastery has been an awesome spectacle in an attack-minded South Korean outfit that are heavy favourites to beat the neighbours that they are still technically at war with.
Lee Sueng-Woo may be known to many as the Barcelona youth transfer that brought all the trouble over the transfer embargo for the La Liga club, but it will not be long before this 16-year old will be a household name around the world, just like he currently is in his home country, for his footballing ability.
Indeed Lee’s performances and that of his compatriots at U-16 level are even threatening to overshadow the start of the Incheon Asian Games. The 7-1 semi-final demolition of a poor Syrian side showcased not only Lee’s dribbling and goal scoring ability, but his four assists were all of immense quality and bode well for his all-round continuing development.
The South Korean ‘Wonderkid’ moved to Spain in 2011 following an impressive season for his elementary school, which culminated in the Danone Nations cup where Barcelona took special notice of the Korean Star. He is now one of La Masia’s hottest prospects.
Unfortunately though for Barcelona it was this transfer of Lee that was the pivotal one, although nine others including 2 other South Koreans were involved, which brought a transfer ban lasting until 2016 for the Catalan club. Impeached by FIFA for the international transfers of under-18 players outside its qualifying criteria. Barcelona must rely on their current squad and emerging youth players through the next two transfer windows.
But alas, it may all be worth it if the boy from Korea can fulfil his potential and reach the heights that no other Asian player has ever reached. His boyish looks may stay with him for a while yet, but if he continues to produce matrix style dribbling and wonder goals then Barcelona may never need use the transfer window again. (Exaggeration)
STRENGTHS
Ignoring his sheer footballing talent for a moment, it is clear that Lee’s self-confessed addiction to FIFA online and Football Manager shows that he is a football nut. His massive grins during the game makes it abundantly clear that despite moving away from his country, language and culture from the age of 13, he has the drive required to become one of the best players in the world.
Being coached by one of the world’s leading academies under the principles of its founder Johan Cruyff is a footballing education only a few are lucky enough to receive. This style outlasts players’ careers, and can help nurture and mature the best of youth talent as it appears to be doing to Lee.
The skills and technique of Lee are too great too ignore any longer; Lee possesses a controlled touch the likes of Dennis Bergkamp possessed; his passing vision and incisiveness is reminiscent of a pre-Arsenal Mesut Ozil; his dribbling and creativeness can only be compared an Argentinian like Messi or Maradona.
This may seem like high praise, but unless the ‘YouTube’ and current AFC U-16 Championships are mirages then the hype may well be a reality and one that will continue to see his name linked with moves to the Premier League, as it was earlier this year.
WEAKNESSES
Floppy hair and bad dancing. Perhaps harsh, but at the tender age of 16 Lee needn’t even worry about girls yet. However in the next few years his footballing career will either emerge or dissipate like the career of so many promising youngsters have. So, Lee’s weakness may turn out to be himself, if his development were to suddenly to curtail and implode we then may never have the privilege of seeing him light up a league or a tournament as he has done at the U-16 AFC Championships.