Lee Kang-in of the South Korean national football team, which was eliminated from the 2026 North America World Cup group stage, leaves the team's accommodation in Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 28 (local time). [Yonhap]
Lee Kang-in of the South Korean national football team, which was eliminated from the 2026 North America World Cup group stage, leaves the team's accommodation in Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 28 (local time). [Yonhap]

Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain reflected on South Korea's disappointing World Cup campaign and pledged to do better after the team's early exit.

Lee wrote on his social media account Thursday that he would "remember this result and grow further to contribute to the team."

"This World Cup was a tournament that made me look back carefully on many things as a player," Lee said. "First of all, I want to thank all the fans who cheered for the national team."

He added that he was "deeply sorry for not being able to repay your expectations with a satisfying result," saying he also felt regret that the team could not deliver an outcome worthy of the dedication shown over the past four years by teammates, coaching staff, support staff and medical personnel.

Lee said he believed the first response to a poor result should be accountability, not regret. "I could have shown more, and I should have done my part better," he said. "The love and support we receive as the national team is never something to take for granted — I believe we must ultimately repay it through what we show on the pitch."

He closed his post by reiterating his commitment to growth. "I will not forget this result, and I will become a player who grows and contributes to the team," he wrote. "To all the fans who sent their support from the stadium and from afar, thank you again."

South Korea, under coach Hong Myung-bo, finished third in Group A of the 2026 North America World Cup with one win and two losses — three points and a goal difference of minus one — placing 34th overall and failing to advance to the round of 32.

Lee is currently the subject of transfer speculation linking him to Atletico Madrid in Spain's La Liga.

According to Spanish outlet Marca, Matteo Moretto, a journalist specializing in the European transfer market, said Wednesday (Korea time) that he had heard Lee's transfer fee to Atletico Madrid was 35 million euros ($40 million), adding that whether the figure includes add-ons "remains to be seen."


yeonjoo7@heraldcorp.com