South Korean national team playmaker Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) has suffered another injury setback late in the season, according to an official update from his club.
PSG confirmed on May 12 (local time) that Lee sustained a left ankle injury during the match against Brest on May 10. The club stated, “Lee Kang-in injured his left ankle in the previous match against Brest. He will undergo indoor training for the next few days.”
Lee started the Brest game and was substituted off in the 53rd minute for Désiré Doué. At the time, the substitution seemed tactical, as PSG were searching for a goal. Doué later scored the winner in the 82nd minute, securing a 1-0 victory and effectively clinching the Ligue 1 title.
This is not the first time Lee has struggled with ankle issues. During his youth career at Valencia and with South Korea’s U-20 team, he frequently suffered left ankle injuries—most notably at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup against Portugal. He also injured the same ankle in March 2020 while at Valencia, and during a national team match against Oman in March last year, he had to be carried off the pitch. In March this year, he joined the national team with an ankle problem and played only as a substitute against Ivory Coast.
Lee’s dribbling style often makes him a target for defenders’ tackles on his ankle. The recurrence of the left ankle injury within two months requires close monitoring of his condition.
Fortunately, initial reports indicate the injury is not severe. PSG’s use of the phrase “a few days” suggests Lee could miss the upcoming match against Lens on May 13 and the final league game against Paris FC on May 18. However, it bodes well for his availability in the Champions League final against Arsenal on May 31 in Budapest.
His participation in the World Cup also appears unaffected. Lee was originally scheduled to join the national team’s pre-World Cup camp in Salt Lake City, USA, in early June. Depending on his recovery, he may skip the Champions League final to focus on the World Cup, which starts on June 12.
Meanwhile, center-back Kim Min
