On October 26, a news came from the South Korean football circle that Lee Tong-kook, a 41-year-old Veteran of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, officially announced his retirement, and his retirement ceremony will officially begin before the match between Jeonbuk Hyundai Motor and Daegu FC on November 1. For many fans, Li Tongguo is a name full of sense of the times, he represents the youth of a generation. Although he did not have the rich overseas experience like Park Ji-sung and Son Heung-min, at least he was glorious for a lifetime. (7 league titles, 1 AFC Champions League) and most likely to say goodbye to his career with his last championship ring without regrets, at least when he leaves, he is happy.
Li Tongguo chose to retire
Born on April 29, 1979, Lee Dong-kook is one of the most successful strikers in South Korean history, and in his 23-year career as a professional player, he has won numerous awards, including the Asian "Grand Slam". As Jeonbuk Evergreen, Lee Tong-kook has always been an indispensable member of the team. There is an old family, if there is a treasure, when Li Tongguo is still on the list, whether he appears or not, it will bring motivation to other players on the field. And he does have the ability to turn the tide every time and help the team out of the trough. After the 2019 season, Li Tongguo chose to renew his contract with the team for a year, continuing to play in the K1 League at the age of 41, and even in this year of injury, he still contributed 4 key goals. Including the world's eye-catching opener, Li Tongguo knocked open the opponent's city with a header in the 81st minute, showing his still immortal strength, and also caused the Middlesbrough side that introduced him to reminisce about the past.
He glorified a lifetime
But in the face of injuries, Li Tongguo's number of appearances has indeed dropped sharply this season. With one round left before the league, Lee Tong-kook chose to officially announce his retirement, on the one hand, to bid farewell to his many years of career, on the other hand, to motivate his teammates to win Daegu FC and leave no regrets for the end of his career. Li Tongguo said on his social platform: "At the end of the season where regret and gratitude coexist, I decided to leave the stadium where I poured all my life into. But retirement is not the end, but a decision made after a long period of thinking with a restart mentality. It hurts to think that the upcoming home game will be the last time I'll see the fans in the number 20 shirt. I promise you that I will do my best to play this game well with the title of "Football player Li Dongguo". ”
Li Tongguo's final farewell
Leaving is not the same as separation, and separation is not the same as forgetting. As for his future, whether to start over as a grassroots coach or return to his family completely away from the football circle is unknown. But in Li Tongguo's heart, he does not give up this green field, even if he returns to his family for a short time, but one day he will definitely return to the beloved green field and once again exert his youth with a new identity.