Once teacher and student at Mallorca, now opponents on the World Cup stage

Lee Kang-in and Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre are set to face each other in the 2026 North America World Cup Group A second match. [Yonhap]
Lee Kang-in and Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre are set to face each other in the 2026 North America World Cup Group A second match. [Yonhap]

Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), the attacking linchpin of South Korea's squad under head coach Hong Myung-bo, is set to face his former mentor Javier Aguirre on the World Cup stage.

South Korea takes on host nation Mexico in the Group A second match of the 2026 North America World Cup at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, at 10 a.m. Korean Standard Time on Friday.

Aguirre, who now leads the Mexican national team, is well known among South Korean football fans as the man who guided Lee during his time at Mallorca in Spain's La Liga.

Lee came up through Valencia's youth academy and joined Mallorca in August 2021, establishing himself as a starting forward. Their connection began in March 2022 when Aguirre took charge of the Spanish club. Aguirre valued Lee's ability to escape pressure and distribute the ball, making him a central piece of Mallorca's tactical setup.

Under Aguirre's strong backing — he called Lee "the most talented player on our team" and said he told Lee he needed to be an important player for the side — Lee developed his off-the-ball movement and defensive contribution, taking his game to another level. He appeared in 36 league matches during the 2022-2023 season, recording six goals and seven assists for a career-best campaign.

Their mentor-student relationship ended when Lee moved to Paris Saint-Germain in August 2023. But a different kind of connection has continued — one in which they meet as opponents.

Lee and Aguirre first reunited on opposing sides in a friendly between South Korea and Mexico in Nashville, Tennessee, last September, which ended 2-2. Lee started the match and played a prominent role, including setting up Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas) for the 2-1 go-ahead goal in the 75th minute.

With South Korea and Mexico drawn into Group A of the 2026 North America World Cup, Lee and Aguirre are set for another teacher-versus-student clash.

At the group draw in December last year, Aguirre called Lee "my son" and joked, "I want to kick Kang-in, but I love him very much," expressing his affection with a touch of humor.

Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone after the Czech Republic match, Lee was asked about facing Aguirre. "Nothing to say, really," he replied. "He's just an opponent."

Both Aguirre and Lee carried positive momentum into this match from their respective openers. Mexico crushed South Africa 2-0 at Mexico City Stadium on June 12, while South Korea pulled off a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over the Czech Republic the same day at Guadalajara Stadium.


yjc@heraldcorp.com