Lee Young-pyo

Lee Young-pyo (Korean: 이영표; born 23 April 1977) is a South Korean football commentator, administrator and former professional footballer. Primarily a left-back or wing-back, he was known for his pace, stamina, intelligent positioning and step overs. Although right-footed, he also played at right-back and as a defensive midfielder. Lee began his professional career with Anyang LG Cheetahs, winning the 2000 K League and being selected for the 2001 K League Best XI. He joined PSV Eindhoven under former South Korea manager Guus Hiddink in 2003, winning two Eredivisie titles and the 2004–05 KNVB Cup and helping PSV reach the semi-finals of the 2004–05 UEFA Champions League. He moved to Tottenham Hotspur in 2005 and later played for Borussia Dortmund, Al-Hilal and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, retiring in 2013. He was part of Tottenham's 2007–08 Football League Cup-winning squad, won two Saudi Pro League titles with Al-Hilal and was voted Vancouver's Player of the Year in 2012. Between 1999 and 2011, Lee earned 127 caps and scored five goals for the South Korea national team. He appeared at three FIFA World Cups and helped South Korea finish fourth as co-hosts in 2002, providing the assists for the winning goals against Portugal in the group stage and Italy in the round of 16. He also helped South Korea finish third at the 2000 and 2011 AFC Asian Cups. After retiring as a player, Lee became a football commentator for KBS, with his forecasts during the 2014 FIFA World Cup earning him the nickname "Octopus Young-pyo". He was chief executive of Gangwon FC from 2021 to 2022 and as a vice-president of the Korea Football Association from 2021 to 2023, and was appointed an outside director of Ulsan HD FC in 2026.