[Reuters]
[Reuters]

Lee Kang-in has put injury concerns to rest, returning to the pitch and helping Atletico Madrid extend their La Liga winning streak to six matches. The 25-year-old had missed his first game since joining the club due to a thigh injury.

Lee started Sunday's 2026-27 La Liga home match against Deportivo at Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid, playing 67 minutes. He did not register a goal or an assist.

Atletico Madrid defeated Deportivo 1-0, with Julian Alvarez scoring the decisive goal. The win moved Atletico to eight wins, one draw and one loss — 25 points — keeping them close behind La Liga leaders FC Barcelona, who have 27 points from one more match played.

Lee's appearance came roughly a week after his previous outing, a La Liga match against Espanyol on Oct. 17.

Lee had been included in the substitute list for Atletico's 2026-27 UEFA Champions League league-phase third-round away match against Stuttgart on Wednesday, which ended 1-1, but did not come on.

It was the first time Lee had remained on the bench since joining Atletico from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the summer transfer window.

Local media reported that Lee had been dealing with minor discomfort from a quadriceps contusion and was not pushed to play. As a precaution, he did not even warm up.

Lee rejoined normal team training Thursday (local time) and returned to full fitness for Sunday's match against Deportivo.

Through Sunday, Lee has appeared in 12 of Atletico's 13 official matches this season. In La Liga, he has played in all 10 matches — starting eight — and has recorded two goals and one assist.


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