What will be the destination of Lee Kang-in (24, Paris Saint-Germain)?

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 (Korean time). With this victory, PSG fulfilled its dream of winning the big ears (UCL trophy) for the first time in 55 years since its founding in 1970. In addition, the team had the best season by achieving a historic 'quadruple' (four titles) after winning the French Ligue 1, Trophy des Champions, and Coupe de France.

It was a one-sided match. PSG took the lead with a goal from Achraf Hakimi, following a perfect assist from Désiré Doué just 12 minutes into the game. Furthermore, Doué's shot that was deflected off the defense connected with another goal in the 20th minute of the first half.

There was no reversal in the second half either. Instead, PSG extended the score difference to five goals, undermining Inter with continuous goals from Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Senny Maïlulu. Lee Kang-in remained on the bench until the end, but the match concluded with PSG's historic 5-0 victory.

However, Lee Kang-in did not play. He was on the substitute list but stayed on the bench until the end. Coach Luis Enrique utilized all five of his substitute cards, but chose the promising 2006-born Maïlulu instead of Lee Kang-in. This pattern of Lee Kang-in being completely sidelined from the starting competition was repeated.

Nonetheless, Lee Kang-in was a proud member of PSG's victory. Although he did not play much during this season's UCL tournament, he contributed by participating in 11 matches, including the group stage. He enjoyed the glory of victory with his teammates. After receiving his winner's medal from UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, Lee Kang-in celebrated on the podium right next to captain Marquinhos.

With this victory, Lee Kang-in became the second player in Korean football history to experience a UCL victory. It marked the continuation of a lineage 17 years after Park Ji-sung won the UCL title with Manchester United in the 2007-2008 season. While Son Heung-min led Tottenham to the final in the 2018-2019 season, he lost to Liverpool and ended up as runner-up.

As a result, Korea remains the only Asian country to have produced a UCL champion. If Mehdi Taremi's Inter had emerged victorious over PSG, Iran could have followed in Korea's footsteps, but fortunes were mixed for Lee Kang-in. He becomes the second Korean player to wear a UCL winner's medal and the first Asian player to experience a treble.

However, Lee Kang-in was not recognized as an official winning member according to UEFA standards. This is because only players who directly participated in the final are acknowledged as winners. Korea was also omitted from the list of countries that produced UCL winners. Like Lee Kang-in, Park Ji-sung also obtained a UCL winner's medal, but could not play in the final. He had shown remarkable performance during the 2007-2008 UCL tournament but was shockingly excluded from the final. Later, coach Alex Ferguson stated that excluding Park from the list was the most regrettable decision of his career.

According to UEFA's website, 54 countries have produced UCL winners to date. A total of 633 players have participated in the European Cup (the predecessor of UCL) or the UCL final and secured victory. Among them, Spain boasts the most winners with 80.

Lee Kang-in left Mallorca last summer for PSG and signed a long-term contract until 2028. However, his position has become unstable as he has been sidelined in coach Luis Enrique's plans during the second half of the season. Although his skills and game management abilities are recognized, his role within PSG's tactics has been limited.

It is not so much an issue of Lee Kang-in's talent, but rather that the depth of PSG's golden roster is too thick. While Khvicha is also noteworthy, Doué, who scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist in the final, is currently evaluated as both PSG's present and future. Ultimately, the likelihood of Lee Kang-in moving to another team in the summer transfer market has significantly increased. His current market value is officially estimated at €30 million (46.9 billion won).

Furthermore, PSG, which hopes for the full support of coach Enrique, is reportedly planning to actively negotiate if transfer offers come in above this price range. At this time, several teams have been reported to be interested in Lee Kang-in. They are likely looking to sell surplus resources, including Lee Kang-in, to strengthen the team.

In particular, the teams showing interest in Lee Kang-in see him as a central figure in their plans. First, Manchester United aims to sell Bruno Fernandes and use the funds to acquire Lee Kang-in. There are prevailing observations that coach Rubén Amorim has specifically targeted Lee Kang-in, who possesses technical skills with his left foot.

Additionally, Napoli, this season's Serie A champions, also desires Lee Kang-in. After considering selling Khvicha, Napoli is confident about acquiring Lee Kang-in, leveraging its good relationship with PSG. Having promised to strengthen the squad for coach Antonio Conte, they are seriously seeking to bring in Lee Kang-in.

/mcadoo@soen.co.kr

/mcadoo@soen.co.kr

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