Lee Kang-in is the best teacher, but superstar Kubo has no good memories of being vengeful

Sep 03, 2025

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Lee Kang-in's friend Kubo Takefusa felt that he did not grow up under coach Javier Aguirre.

Japan will play a friendly match against Mexico at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, the U.S. on the 7th (Korea time). Japan will face Mexico and then prepare for a second friendly match with the United States, which fought against South Korea. South Korea and Japan will gain hands-on experience against the U.S. and Mexico, the host countries of the 2026 North American World Cup.

Ahead of the showdown, Japanese media set the reunion between Kubo and Coach Aguirre as a point to watch. Kubo, who was Japan's top prospect, joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2019 and immediately left on loan to Mallorca. Kubo's skills were properly recognized when he played as a boy's breadwinner in Mallorca, Spain's La Liga.

However, his loan spell at Villarreal and Getafe in the 2020-2021 season was both a failure. As a result, Kubo returned to Mallorca as a loanee in the 2021-2022 season. At this time, Mallorca recruited Lee Kang-in on a free contract, and Korea's top prospects played on the same team.

Kubo played as a mainstay for Majorca until the second half of the season. He went back and forth between the right and center, but he did not play as well as he did during the first Majorca period. Lee Kang-in also received many opportunities until the beginning of the season, but he was gradually pushed out of the starting lineup due to the lack of offensive points. Mallorca hovered around the relegation zone and eventually appointed Aguirre in March 2022 to seek to escape the relegation zone.

Coach Aguirre did not touch much on Lee Kang-in's position as a rotation member, but Kubo boldly stepped down from the starting lineup. As a result, Majorca remained in La Liga, so Aguirre's choice was not wrong. However, Kubo seems to have been very uncomfortable in the months he spent with Aguirre at that time.

According to a report by Japanese media Tokyo Sports on the 3rd, Kubo met with Japanese reporters in the U.S. and had no good memories " (when head coach Aguirre was in charge). I'm not saying I want to take revenge personally because it's not an official match, but I wish I could show myself growing up. There is a story about what it would have been like to use me at that time. I can't say anything because it's the coach who makes the decision,' he said indirectly indicating that there was a problem with his relationship with Aguirre.

Kubo expressed that it was not a revenge match, but just by looking at his remarks, I can feel that Kubo does not really feel good about coach Aguirre.

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However, for Lee Kang-in, Aguirre is one of the best teachers. It is no exaggeration to say that he made Lee Kang-in today. Lee Kang-in was recognized by everyone for his offensive talent, but in the end, soccer cannot only attack. Aguirre emphasized Lee Kang-in's defense, and Lee Kang-in improved his defense under the guidance of Aguirre. Lee Kang-in became Majorca's ace under Aguirre as he exploded in attack. Lee Kang-in, who grew up under Aguirre, succeeded in moving to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.