Lee Kang-in burst into laughter as he boarded the final entry of the UCL final, the dream of the first treble in soccer history…Son Heung-min's Europa → UCL wins, first historical goal
May 31, 2025
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PSG will play the much-awaited European Champions League (UCL) final against Inter Milan (Italy) at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, at 4 a.m. on June 1 (Korean time). PSG featured Lee Kang-in in a graphic photo of the players heading from their accommodation on the 31st, a day before the showdown.
Lee Kang-in was included in the final entry of 22 players to play in the UCL final. It was also revealed that he was training to adapt to the ground with a bright expression at Allianz Arena.
Lee Kang-in will challenge the new history of Korean soccer. If he beats Inter Milan and lifts the `big year,' he will become the first player in Korean soccer history to achieve the 'Treble'(UCL, League, FA Cup).
He made his professional debut in Valencia in 2018 at the age of 17 and took the opportunity in seven years after playing Majorca. PSG won the French Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de Princes title.
Even Park Ji-sung couldn't achieve the 'treble'. During the 2007-2008 season when Manchester United was the first Korean to win the UCL, but he missed the FA Cup and ended up with a 'double'. Only eight teams in European big league history have achieved trebles. Bayern Munich, Barcelona (twice), Celtic, Ajax, Eindhoven, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Manchester City.
PSG did not conquer UCL. He reached the UCL final for the first time since the foundation of the 2019-2020 season, but had to be satisfied with the runner-up. If he wins this time, he will stand tall as France's first treble club as well as his first UCL summit.
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The two consecutive A matches in June could also feature the first scenery of Europa League and UCL winners joining the national team at the same time. Son Heung-min topped the Europa League this season. It was the joy of his first victory in 15 years since his professional debut.
Lee Kang-in played a total of 45 games, including 11 UCL games, this season, scoring six goals and six assists. He was one of the main players that allowed PSG to dream of being a treble. In the first half, he devoted himself to various roles in the positions required by the team, from 'fake No. 9' to wingers, offensive midfielders, and defensive midfielders.
However, it is difficult to guarantee that the team will play in the UCL final due to its gradually narrowing position in the second half of the year. He did not play in important games like the UCL quarter-final match against Aston Villa, the semifinal match against Arsenal, and the Coupe Princes final against Reims on the 24th.
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Ahead of the UCL final, Lee Kang-in said "We've been doing very well this season. Just coming this far is rewarding and I'm really happy. I will do my best to win the championship."
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
