“I’m a player who gives everything on the pitch” | OneFootball

Inbeom Hwang is FC Porto’s latest signing and is “very excited to sign for one of the best clubs in the world.” Describing himself as “a player who gives everything on the pitch” and someone who always wants to “push beyond the limits in every training session and every match,” the South Korean international promises to “give my all to help the team win every game” and to honor the legacy of “a huge Club, with so much history.”

“We have a squad full of quality players who won the title last year and are already only thinking about the next one,” said the 29-year-old midfielder, for whom “it is very important to start the season well”: “When you sign for a club like FC Porto, it is natural to feel pressure, because here you have to win.”

The return to Invicta“I’m very excited to sign for FC Porto, one of the best clubs in the world. It is a great honor to represent this Club and this city, because I really like Porto. Last Christmas I was here with my family, we were in Lisbon and Porto, and my wife immediately said she liked Porto more than Lisbon. She really said that, I’m not lying. I’m truly looking forward to this new challenge. I think that together we can achieve something very special this season.”

His wife’s influence“I have 40% decision-making power, the other 60% is hers. That’s why I’m here. I’m very happy. After a long trip I’m very tired, but after stepping into the Estádio do Dragão I immediately felt better, I’m wide awake again. I’m looking forward to this new challenge.”

How he describes himself“I’m a player who gives everything on the pitch, even when I’m very tired. I always want to go beyond my limits, in every training session and every game, and because of that I think I can live up to the fans’ expectations. I can’t wait to play in front of them as soon as possible.”

His knowledge of Portugal“It will help me adapt to the Club, to a new league and to a different country. I’ve never lived here, but I’ve only met good people from Portugal. My agents are Portuguese and Paulo Bento, who was my national team coach, trusted me a lot. I have a very good impression of Portuguese people and I hope to keep that at FC Porto, with everyone, my teammates, the coaching staff and everyone who works at this Club.”

Francesco Farioli“I heard that he was interested in signing me. Everyone knows, even in South Korea, that FC Porto are a huge club, so I didn’t need to ask many questions about the Club, because I already knew it is a massive Club with so much history. I was very proud that they were interested in me and then I had a video call with coach Farioli and the president. It was a good conversation, they explained why they wanted to sign me and I only asked them a few questions. After that conversation I spoke to my wife for the first time. I hadn’t told her before because I knew she would go crazy about the possibility, so I wanted her to stay calm. She was very happy because she really likes the city and Port wine. Once I adapt to the city and the Club, my wife and daughter will come to support me and be with me. I think it is very important for players to spend quality time with their families.”

A former Farioli rival at Ajax“I have to be careful with what I say here, because Ajax and Feyenoord are big rivals. In the video call with the coach, I remembered the moment when we no longer had any chance of becoming champions while PSV and Ajax were fighting for the title. At that time I was rooting for coach Farioli, but not for Ajax, because I’ve known him since 2020 or 2021, when he was at Alanyaspor and wanted to take me to Turkey, but at the time I chose to sign for Olympiacos. Then he moved to OGC Nice and also tried to sign me, but once again it didn’t happen. At Ajax he also tried to sign me, but Feyenoord moved first. Now I will finally have the chance to work with him, he is a coach I admire a lot. That’s why I was very happy, even though I wasn’t an FC Porto player yet, when he won the Portuguese League. I have great respect for him, he never gave up, he won a special trophy for the Club and I can’t wait to work with him every day.”

Feeling pressure is an honor“I have to do my best to help the team win every game and also improve in training. Everyone has to give their all to maintain a positive atmosphere. When you sign for a club like FC Porto, it is natural to feel pressure, because here you have to win, but if we give everything in every training session and every game, we will be closer to success. We have a squad full of quality players who won the title last year and are already only thinking about the next one. That starts in training and I hope to help create the conditions for that.”

Recognition at the World Cup“I never thought I would score at the World Cup, because I don’t score that many goals, but I felt very proud when I did it in the biggest competition in international football. In that match against Czechia I contributed to the happiness of the Korean people with a goal and an assist. My family and my friends were also very happy, so I felt a great sense of pride.”

A word about South Korea“South Korean women, like my wife, really like Porto because it is a beautiful city. There are already many South Korean women tourists in Porto, now it’s up to me to bring the men to our city and our stadium, to support me and support FC Porto.”

Suk Hyun-Jun“I played with him on the national team, but I still haven’t spoken to him about the transfer. I didn’t even need to ask him questions about FC Porto, because I already knew it is a great club. I’m sure he is happy for me.”

The target that has been set“We were champions last season and our goal is to keep the trophy here in the city. I hope I can help the team in that mission, which starts today at the training center. If we build a group with that desire, I think we can achieve something special again.”

The first commitments“It is very important to start the season well. Starting well would mean winning the Super Cup, but we also have to come out strong in the Portuguese League. I’m looking forward to those games.”

Choosing football“I think it is a dream for many young people and everyone started playing football because they like the ball. I’ve been playing football for more than 23 years, since I was eight, and I still enjoy every training session and every game. When I’m on the pitch I give everything, not only for the fans but also for myself, because when we go to the limit we feel something special. I do everything to feel that energy.”

His childhood idol“When I was younger my idol was Park Ji-sung, a national hero who played for Manchester United and achieved great things for the national team. I try to imitate him as an athlete and also off the pitch, because he was not only a great player but also an excellent person.”

A message for the fans“I hope to begin my adventure at FC Porto as soon as possible. Whenever I’m on the pitch I will give my all and the fans can be sure that I will give everything. If I play my football, they will like me, and I will do everything I can to help the Club. I ask them to support the team so that we can give them unforgettable moments.”

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