Lee Kang-in (24, Paris Saint-Germain) regrettably could not write a historic record in South Korea's football history. Korea also did not make it onto the list of countries that have produced winning players.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) triumphed over Inter Milan 5-0 in the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League (UCL) final held at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany on the 1st (Korea time).
With this victory, PSG achieved its dream of winning the Big Ears (UCL trophy) for the first time in 55 years since its establishment in 1970. Following victories in Ligue 1, the Trophée des Champions, and the Coupe de France, PSG accomplished a historic quadruple.
It was a one-sided match. PSG took the lead with Ashraf Hakimi's opening goal, following a perfect assist from Désiré Doué just 12 minutes after the start of the match. Furthermore, at the 20th minute of the first half, a shot from Doué, receiving a pass from Dembélé, deflected off the defense and led to a consolidation.
There was no turnaround in the second half either. Instead, PSG extended their lead to five goals with consecutive goals from Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Seni Mayulu, defeating Inter. Lee Kang-in remained on the bench until the end, but the match concluded with PSG's historic 5-0 victory.
On this day, Lee Kang-in sadly stayed on the bench until the end. Manager Luis Enrique utilized all five of his substitution cards, but opted for 2006-born prospect Mayulu instead of Lee. This pattern of being completely sidelined in the competition for a starting spot was repeated.
Nevertheless, Lee Kang-in was proud to be part of PSG's victory. Although he did not play much in this season's UCL tournament, he contributed by appearing in 11 matches, including the group stage. He celebrated the glory of winning with the team. After receiving his winner's medal, Lee stood next to the captain, Marquinhos, on the podium and roared.
With this victory, Lee Kang-in became the second player in South Korean football history to experience a UCL win. Until now, the only instance was Park Ji-sung winning the UCL while wearing a Manchester United jersey in the 2007-2008 season. Son Heung-min reached the final in the 2018-2019 season, but was blocked by Liverpool and failed.
By following in the footsteps of Park Ji-sung after 17 years, Lee Kang-in kept Korea as the only Asian country to produce a UCL-winning player. If Mehdi Taremi's Inter had defeated PSG, Iran could have followed Korea's lead, but fortunes diverged for Lee Kang-in.
However, according to UEFA's official records, there are still no South Korean players who have won the UCL. This is because UEFA only recognizes players who directly participated in the final as winners. Korea also remained off the list of countries that have produced winning players.
Park Ji-sung had an impressive performance in the 2007-2008 UCL tournament, but was shockingly excluded from the final and did not step on the pitch. Later, manager Alex Ferguson described Park's omission from the lineup as the most regrettable decision of his life. Although Lee Kang-in also sat on the bench, he failed to be substituted.
UEFA stated on its website, "Hakimi became the first Moroccan player to play in a UCL final in 2017 and the first Moroccan player to score in a European competition final. Willian Pacho was the first player from Ecuador to participate in a winning team," and noted, "Lee Kang-in missed the chance to become the first South Korean player to win after not being substituted in Munich."
According to UEFA, a total of 54 countries have produced UCL winners. In total, 633 players have participated in the European Cup (the predecessor of the UCL) or UCL finals and won. Spain boasts the highest number of winners with 80 players.
Meanwhile, Lee Kang-in received congratulations from Jeong Mong-kyu, president of the Korea Football Association. Jeong Mong-kyu said on the 1st, "I sincerely congratulate PSG on their 2024-2025 UCL victory. After claiming the Ligue 1, French Cup, and now the UCL, Lee Kang-in has achieved a 'treble' as the first Asian player on the European stage," and added, "Although he did not step onto the pitch in the final, we know that the valuable result of winning is the result of all players, coaches, staff, and fans uniting in support and hope."
The late coach Yoo Sang-cheol, who was Lee Kang-in's mentor during his 'Shooting Star' days, was also mentioned. Jeong Mong-kyu wrote, "Watching Lee Kang-in lift the trophy with his teammates made me deeply moved and reminded me of Coach Yoo Sang-cheol. I believe he would be immensely proud of us from above. Despite his young age, Lee is writing a history that is a new pride and hope for Korean football."
In the end, he added, "Thank you for bringing great joy and pride to the people who love football. I hope this momentum continues into the upcoming national team matches and next year's World Cup. I hope you will continue to write the new history of Korean football." Previously, Jeong Mong-kyu had sent similar congratulations to national team captain Son Heung-min (Tottenham) for his UEFA Europa League victory.
Having successfully completed the season, Lee Kang-in now wears the Taegeuk mark on his chest. He will immediately move to Iraq on the 3rd to join the national team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo. After playing an away match in Iraq on the 6th, he will return to Korea on a chartered flight with the national team and compete against Kuwait in the last match of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup Asian third qualifying round at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 10th.
[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited), Jeong Mong-kyu, Lee Kang-in, Le Parisien social media.
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