At Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Lee Kang-in (24) identified team cohesion as a key factor for victory ahead of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) final.
PSG (France) will play against Inter Milan (Italy) in the UCL final for the 2024-2025 season at 4 a.m. on June 1 (Korean time) at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
Lee noted on the 29th via the club’s official website, "The journey to the final itself holds great significance. I am very happy" and expressed a strong determination, saying, "I will concentrate until the end. I want to finish the season with a win."
He found PSG's success this season in 'teamwork.' Lee expressed confidence, stating, "All players have been working towards a common goal. Thanks to our support for each other and our unity, we have reached this point. This cohesion will lead us to victory."
This season, PSG swept the Ligue 1, French Cup, and Super Cup titles, achieving a domestic treble and demonstrating overwhelming performance while now aiming for UCL glory.
If Lee lifts the championship trophy, another feat will be added to the history of Korean football. 'Legend' Park Ji-sung experienced UCL victory while with Manchester United (England) in the 2007-2008 season, but his participation in that final did not materialize.
Afterward, Park Ji-sung played in two finals. Son Heung-min (Tottenham) also participated in the UCL final in the 2018-2019 season, but both players finished as runners-up.
If Lee takes the field in the final and secures the UCL title, he will become the first Korean player to do so.
Lee's participation in the UCL final has not been confirmed yet. He has remained on the bench for four consecutive games following the second leg of the Round of 16, leading to analyses that his chances of playing are quite low.
Meanwhile, there are suggestions that Lee may leave the team at the end of this season.
On the 28th, the British media 'Cutfour' reported, "Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Atletico Madrid, and Napoli have shown interest in acquiring Lee. Some have already made contact."
Matteo Moreto of 'Relevo' in Spain also predicted, "There is a high likelihood that Lee will be sold in this summer transfer market." If he stays at PSG, he risks losing all chances of playing, making a transfer seem unavoidable. Currently, Lee's contract runs until 2028.
Lee's social media activity, which has fueled transfer rumors, is also drawing attention. He recently removed phrases related to 'PSG' from his Instagram profile. Some fans interpret this as a sign that a transfer is imminent.
However, since other information, including 'Republic of Korea', has also disappeared, there are counterarguments stating that it is too early to draw conclusions.
[Photo] Paris Saint-Germain homepage
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