Yeo Min-ji


Yeo Min-ji is a South Korean footballer who plays as a forward for JEF United Chiba Ladies.
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Early life

Yeo became interested in football as a child, playing together with her older brother. She began training in earnest when she joined the football academy at Myeongseo Elementary School in Busan in the fourth grade. She was the top goalscorer when her team achieved a clean sweep of all the domestic tournament titles in 2005.
While playing for Haman Daesan High School and representing South Korea at youth level, Yeo sustained an injury to her right knee which required surgery. Yeo later attended Ulsan College, where she was part of the winning team at the Korea Women's Football Championship.

Club career

Following her performance at the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, Yeo was one of the most highly anticipated rookie players entering the WK League ahead of the 2014 season. She was the third selection at the 2014 WK League new player draft, signing a three year contract with Chungbuk Sportstoto.
In the 2018 season she made 23 appearances, scoring seven goals. After five years with Sportstoto, she transferred to Suwon FMC. From 2021 to 2024, she played for Gyeongju KHNP, where she was club captain from 2023-2024. In March 2025, Korean media reported that Yeo's management had reached a deal with Norwegian club Kolbotn, pending a medical test. However, after a few months away from club football Yeo eventually signed with WE League side JEF United Chiba Ladies.

International career

Youth teams

Yeo played for South Korea at the 2009 AFC U-16 Women's Championship in Thailand, scoring two goals in the final against North Korea, which ended in a 4–0 victory and South Korea's first victory in this tournament. She was the top goal scorer at the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, scoring eight goals and earning the nickname 'Yeo Messi', a reference to Lionel Messi. South Korea beat Japan in the final to lift the trophy, becoming the first ever South Korean team to win a World Cup title. Yeo won the Golden Ball and Golden Boot at the competition, and was subsequently named AFC Women's Youth Player of the Year.
Yeo had trained with the national U-20 side since she was 14 years old, but missed out on the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup due to an ACL injury.

Senior team

After her success in national youth teams, Yeo became a regular in the senior squad. She was named in the squad for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada but was unable to play in the finals following a knee injury in training. Yeo returned to the national team in 2019 as the side prepared for the 2019 World Cup.

Style of play

From a young age, Yeo became known for her speed and dribbling. Her ability to create and capitalise upon goalscoring opportunities was described as "world-class".

Honours

International

Individual