With a handful of footballers plying their trade overseas and more young players quickly developing, South Korea has a bright future in the sport, a senior official with a top Spanish club said Monday.

Emilio Butragueno, the director of institutional relations for Real Madrid, is visiting Korea this week to promote Real Madrid’s work with youth players. The Real Madrid Foundation opened its youth academy in Korea earlier this year and currently has three coaches from the Real Madrid system.

At a news conference in Seoul, Butragueno said South Korea will be “a tough team to beat” even for a powerhouse such as his native Spain.

“South Korean national team players and others are playing for great clubs in foreign countries,” Butragueno said through an interpreter. “I think this bodes well for the future of South Korean football.” 

Butragueno said the foundation, launched in 1997, is designed to reach out to underprivileged young players and teach them lessons in both football and life. According to Butragueno, the foundation operates about 200 youth academies in 65 nations.

Butragueno stressed that a player’s nationality is secondary to his talent and commitment if that player were to find international success.

“First and foremost, players have to have skills, but talent alone won’t be enough,” he said. “They have to be able to adapt to new surroundings and must have competitive fire. Mental toughness is also required.”

No Korean player has yet to play for Real Madrid, one of the storied Spanish clubs. Butragueno wouldn’t comment on any particular Korean player but said the eyes of European football teams will soon turn to Asia. “South Korean players are developing at a great rate,” he said. “Whether it’s Real Madrid or other clubs, they will turn their attention to Asia.” (Yonhap News)