Ji So-yun drops to No. 85 on ranking of world's best footballers

Ji So-yun slipped from No. 22 to No. 85 on the Guardian ranking of the 100 best female footballers in the world this year, dropping more than 60 places after leaving Super League club Chelsea to return to Korea and help develop the national team.

Chelsea's Ji So-yun celebrates after winning the women's English FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley in London on May 15. [EPA/YONHAP]

Ji So-yun slipped from No. 22 to No. 85 on the Guardian ranking of the 100 best female footballers in the world this year, dropping more than 60 places after leaving Super League club Chelsea to return to Korea and help develop the national team.

Ji was the only Korean footballer named to “The 100 best female footballers in the world 2022” list, which was topped for a second year by Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas.

The Guardian analysts bemoaned Ji’s decision to return to Korea, arguing that she still had plenty more to offer in Europe.

“Ji departed after eight glorious years at Chelsea with another league title and FA Cup triumph,” the article said. “In truth, her superb five-goal haul at the Asia Cup in February, as South Korea finished runners up, gave a feeling she had plenty more to give in Europe, shown in glimpses after often being used off the bench by Emma Hayes last season.

“However, she chose to return home with Suwon, where the 31-year-old is continuing to show her talent in front of her own supporters. Now an icon of women's football in Asia, Ji continues to perform at a very high level.”

Ji started the year in England with Chelsea where she was generally considered one of the greatest international players ever to play in the English league.

But after over 200 appearances, five Super League titles, three FA Cups, one community shield, two Continental Cups and multiple player of the year awards, Ji decided in May this year that she was going to give up some of that glory to return to Korea and join Suwon FC Women, hoping to help grow the local game ahead of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Ji, the all-time Korean top goal scorer across both men’s and women’s football, led the national team to a second-place finish at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in February, losing 3-2 to China in the final. The tournament acted as an important tune-up game for Korea ahead of the 2023 World Cup next summer.

Despite having left England behind, Ji has carved out her place in the history of the development of the women’s game as the first non-British player to reach 100 and 200 Super League appearances. With 37 league goals to her name, she also ranks among the Super League’s all-time top scorers.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]