Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Kang-in Lee (19) arrives before the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Segar-Reuters via Imagn Images

soccer

Who Is Lee Kang-in, PSG’s Hero of UEFA Super Cup? All About the South Korean Footballer

Paris Saint-Germain made history by winning the UEFA Super Cup for the first time in their history. The French champions pulled off a dramatic late comeback on Wednesday evening to beat Tottenham Hotspur on penalties. At the heart of that turnaround was South Korean footballer Lee Kang-in, whose brilliant strike and composure under pressure turned the match around for the European champions.

Tottenham led 2-0 with just six minutes of normal time remaining in the match. PSG had tried relentlessly for 84 minutes but they had failed to breach the Tottenham defense. Up stepped Lee Kang-in, who was brought on in the 68th minute. Lee fired in a stunning strike from 20 yards to give PSG a lifeline in the match.

Deep into injury time, Goncalo Ramos headed in the equaliser for PSG, taking the match to penalties. Lee then stepped up again, confidently converting PSG’s fourth spot-kick to put his team 3-2 ahead, paving the way for PSG’s historic win.

Who Is Lee Kang-in?

Lee Kang-in is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Paris Saint-Germain and the South Korea national team. Known for his vision, close control, and composure under pressure, Lee first gained attention as a child prodigy on the Korean TV show Shoot Dori.

Also Read: Who Is Ismaila Sarr, Crystal Palace’s Hero of FA Community Shield Final? All About the Senegalese Footballer

He joined Valencia CF’s academy at the age of 10, becoming the first Asian player to debut for the club’s senior side in 2018 and winning the Copa del Rey in 2019. After a successful stint at Mallorca, where he tallied six goals and seven assists in the 2022/23 season, Lee moved to PSG in 2023. Internationally, he won the Golden Ball at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, represented South Korea at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and secured a gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games.

Lee Kang-in Profile

Full Name: Lee Kang-in
DOB: 19 February 2001 (24 years old)
Birthplace: Incheon, South Korea
Height/Weight: 173 cm / 66 kg
Position: Attacking Midfielder / Winger
Current Club: Paris Saint-Germain
National Team: South Korea

Also Read: Topps To Immortalize Son Heung-Min’s First MLS Game by Turning Used Match Ball Into Trading Cards

Lee Kang-in’s Club Career

Valencia CF (2011–2021)
Lee joined Valencia’s academy and rose through the ranks, becoming the first Asian player to debut for the club’s senior team in October 2018. He featured in the UEFA Champions League in 2019 and was part of the squad that won the Copa del Rey that year.
Mallorca (2021–2023)
After leaving Valencia, Lee joined Mallorca, where his creativity and vision were instrumental in helping the club stay in La Liga. In his final season, he recorded six goals and seven assists.
Paris Saint-Germain (2023–Present)
PSG signed Lee in the summer of 2023, adding another versatile attacking option to their squad. His blend of technical skill, composure, and creativity has quickly made him a fan favourite. The South Korean footballer was in superb form in the 2024-2025 season as he notched 6 goals and 6 assists in PSG’s successful Ligue 1 campaign. His reputation at PSG has been further cemented by his UEFA Super Cup heroics.

Lee Kang-in’s International Achievements

2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup – Led South Korea to the final, won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Scored three goals in four matches, helping South Korea reach the quarterfinals.
2022 FIFA World Cup – Played in all four matches, helping the team reach the Round of 16.
2023 Asian Games – Helped South Korea’s U-23 side beat Japan 2–1 in the final, earning a gold medal. That victory granted the entire squad exemption from mandatory military service.

Lee Kang-in

PSG

South Korea

Tottenham

UEFA Super Cup

Abhinav Goel

soccer

I am a soccer writer at The PlayOffs, covering everything from match analysis to transfer buzz and tactical deep dives. Ever since I was a kid, soccer has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been an obsession. Playing and watching the game from a young age fueled my passion, eventually leading me into the world of sports media and betting. Now, I get to analyze the sport I love and bring the latest updates to fans worldwide.