'Genius' Lee Kang-in (25, PSG) also seems to find the wall of the Champions League too high.
PSG will play the 2025-2026 Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League final against Arsenal at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, at 1 a.m. on the 31st (Korea time). If PSG wins, it will achieve back-to-back titles.
Another chance has come for Lee Kang-in to stand atop Europe again. The problem is that this time the situation is not very different from last year. The team's chances of winning are rated highly, but the likelihood that Lee Kang-in will be at the center is not great.
Recently, Lee Kang-in's standing has been gradually narrowing under coach Luis Enrique. In particular, he appeared far from a key player even in the semifinal against Bayern Munich, the season's biggest showdown.
The situation did not change even after PSG secured the league title early. Even in games where rotation was expected, he was given only limited playing time. Local media also note that PSG's starting lineup for the final is effectively settled.
The PSG starting lineup predicted by 'Rotowire' is goalkeeper Matvey Safonov; defenders Nuno Mendes, Marquinhos, Wylan Cyprien, and Achraf Hakimi. In midfield, Vitinha, João Neves, and Warren Zaire-Emery are expected to start. The attack is expected to be handled by Désiré Dúe and Ousmane Dembélé.
Lee Kang-in's name was nowhere to be found. No one knows whether Lee Kang-in will be included on the bench list, get an opportunity as a substitute, or not step onto the pitch at all. For now, Lee Kang-in has been excluded from PSG's core lineup.
Naturally, memories of last year's final come back to mind. At that time, Lee Kang-in watched the match from the bench until the end and received a winner's medal without playing. Even at the moment of lifting the trophy, his expression was more complex than bright. Reaching the pinnacle of the world's biggest stage was clearly a valuable achievement, but the feeling of a victory earned directly on the pitch was lacking.
This year's final also promises a difficult flow. Luis Enrique described Arsenal as a "team that is world-class when out of possession," predicting a thoroughly organized battle.
As a result, with a match plan expected to emphasize stability and defensive balance, the prevailing view is that Lee Kang-in's chances of starting are not high. Even if PSG wins the title, another situation in which he finds it hard to smile freely could arise.
[OSEN]