Lee Kang-in (24) of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) did not step onto the field but attended the championship ceremony after the UEFA Champions League (UCL) final. There was also a 'flaw'.

On the 1st (Korea time), PSG faced Inter Milan at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, in the 2024-2025 season UCL single final and won 5-0. Since its founding in 1970, this is PSG's first championship in 55 years.

According to European football statistics company 'Opta', PSG became the first team to win a UCL final by a margin of more than five goals.

This season, PSG claimed the domestic treble by winning Ligue 1, the Trophée des Champions, and the Coupe de France. They also dominated in Europe, completing a quadruple.

On this day, Lee Kang-in was listed on the bench and awaited a call from PSG coach Luis Enrique. However, he ultimately did not make an appearance. PSG utilized all five substitute cards in the 39th minute of the second half, but Lee's name was not called.

In the past, while playing for Valencia in Spain, Lee Kang-in made his UCL debut against Chelsea in September 2019.

However, after transferring to Mallorca in 2021, Lee Kang-in had been distanced from the UCL stage.

Before the last season, Lee Kang-in joined PSG and re-entered the UCL stage against Borussia Dortmund on Sept. 20, 2023.

And he lifted the UCL trophy just two seasons after joining PSG.

Lee Kang-in became the second Korean player to experience UCL victory, following Park Ji-sung.

Park Ji-sung was part of the Manchester United (Man U) squad that won the championship in the 2007-2008 season but did not participate in the final. He later reached the final two more times (2008-2009, 2010-2011), but Man U finished as runners-up on those occasions.

Son Heung-min also made it to the final stage with Tottenham in the 2018-2019 season but had no connection with the trophy.

Lee Kang-in's position has significantly diminished in the latter half of this season. There are strong rumors that he will seek to leave for more playing time.

Amid this, some analysts noted that Lee's chances of playing in this 'most important' UCL final were low, and their predictions turned out to be accurate.

However, it remains a fact that Lee is part of PSG. But on the day of the medal ceremony, as Lee's turn approached, the broadcast camera suddenly turned away from him. This could be interpreted as discrimination.

There is also a counterargument that the reason for not capturing Lee Kang-in was to focus on Achraf Hakimi kissing the trophy.

With the medal hanging around his neck, Lee Kang-in embraced the joy of victory with a bright smile. He also participated in commemorative photos with remarkable positioning.

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