“Supporters will really like Hwang In-beom” | OneFootball

Hwang In-beom came on for the closing moments of the Cândido de Oliveira Super Cup against Torreense and helped FC Porto hold onto the lead that secured the trophy. His debut opens the door to high expectations around the South Korean midfielder, praised for his intelligence, intensity, and ability to adapt to Francesco Farioli’s system. Those who know him well do not hesitate in their prediction and assured: “He has his own magic.”

After coming on for Alberto Costa at the Cidade de Coimbra Stadium, Hwang In-beom begins writing his FC Porto story with a title. The South Korean midfielder, signed from Feyenoord and tied to the club until June 2029, arrives backed by the testimony of those who shared a dressing room with him and also know the demands of Francesco Farioli: talent, commitment, and intensity seem to be the key words of this new partnership.

Ahmed Hassan, who played with Hwang In-beom at Olympiacos and worked with Francesco Farioli at Alanyaspor, painted a very favorable picture of the midfielder. The former striker highlighted not only the player’s technical quality, but also how quickly he could fit into Portuguese football.

“He’s a good guy, a great professional, very polite, and full of talent and quality. What stands out to me is the intelligence with which he plays and moves on the pitch,” he said. “The fans are really going to like him, and he’ll adapt to Portugal very quickly. That I can guarantee.”

For Hassan, the move to FC Porto gives Hwang In-beom an environment capable of bringing out the best in his qualities. That confidence also extends to what the South Korean can deliver after a World Cup in which he made his mark for South Korea.

“He’ll find a great club, where he’ll have everything he needs. Portuguese clubs are excellent at surrounding new players with staff who pay close attention to everything. Even more so at a club like FC Porto,” he continued. “He will perform and build on the great World Cup he had, where he scored a great goal for South Korea. In that play, you can see his skill and ease of movement. He has his own magic.”

The former striker went even further by linking the midfielder’s future to Farioli’s daily demands. In his view, Hwang In-beom will have to earn his place, but he has all the tools needed to become influential.

“He’ll earn his place, and I know well what it takes to work your way into Farioli’s plans. I loved working with him because he knows how to deal with all players and gets the team playing no matter who he has,” he added. “I believe everything is in place for it to go well; he can convince Farioli and become an influential player in the Champions League.”

Hassan’s praise paints the picture of a player ready to respond in a competitive environment, with no shortcuts and no empty promises. His adaptation, he suggests, will depend as much on the quality he already brings as on his ability to assert himself in the tempo imposed by the Italian coach.

Rodinei, another player who crossed paths with Hwang In-beom at Olympiacos, reinforced that idea based on their time together in the dressing room and on the pitch. The Brazilian right-back highlighted the South Korean’s attitude within the group and his influence once the ball starts rolling.

“I saw sensational quality in someone who is great for the group, respects everyone, and never causes problems. On the pitch, he has a tremendous shot from outside the box, a fantastic pass, and he is very intense in everything he does,” he pointed out. “I had an incredible time with him, and I hope he has a lot of success at FC Porto.”

In Rodinei’s description, intensity is not just a trait: it is the axis that shapes how Hwang In-beom reads every play. The midfielder comes across as someone capable of speeding up the game with the ball without disconnecting from his defensive duties.

“Everything about him revolves around intensity—how he controls the ball and drives the game forward with it, he is very quick in his actions. He defends and attacks at the same time,” he concluded. “I see many midfielders who focus on marking, running, and keeping balance, but he is different, he always guarantees a lot of quality on the ball.”

It is that balance between commitment, speed, and technical quality that fuels the expectations surrounding Hwang In-beom’s new chapter at FC Porto. His debut brought a trophy; the praise from those who know him helps explain why the Dragão can expect more.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.