"If You Won't Use Him, Let Him Go Now!" Lee Kang-in Breaks Through the 'Lion's Den' and Delivers a 50 Billion Won Statement Performance Against the Czech Republic [2026 FIFA World Cup]

[Financial News] Just two weeks ago, the night in Budapest, Hungary, was dazzling, yet unbearably cold.
As his club PSG roared after winning back-to-back UEFA Champions League titles, Lee Kang-in had to watch from the bench for the full 120 minutes. A deep shadow hung over his smile. He had been left out of the Champions League starting lineup for 27 consecutive matches.
What had seemed like a cruel 'lion's den,' where he was completely overlooked on a stage that could decide a team's fate and reduced to little more than a marketing prop, was shattered by Lee Kang-in's flawless skill under the hot Mexican sun.
In South Korea's 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in the opening Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, Lee Kang-in started on the right wing and dominated the pitch as if telling the world, "I am Lee Kang-in. If you're not going to use me, let me go now."

His trademark low center of gravity in ball retention and his brilliant ability to shake off two or three rugged Czech defenders with ease proved that he has truly reached world-class status. Trailing 1-0 in the 22nd minute of the second half, he spotted a crack in the Czech defense line and delivered a precise pass into space to Hwang In-beom. It was a perfect example of Lee Kang-in's vision and left-footed passing ability. Even while playing through severe pain after having his foot stepped on, he controlled the tempo until the end and became a key figure in South Korea's first World Cup opening-match win in 16 years.
Foreign media have also been stunned by his brilliant form. Many outlets praised him, saying, "Lee Kang-in recorded a 100% pass completion rate in the opponent's final third. He completed all 17 of his passes and produced a near-perfect performance with three key passes and five successful dribbles."
Lee Kang-in's explosive performance is now igniting a major fire in the summer transfer market.

Fabrizio Romano, widely regarded as the world's top transfer market expert, recently stated as a foregone conclusion that "Lee Kang-in is preparing to leave PSG this summer in order to secure more playing time." The club showing the strongest interest right now is Atlético Madrid of LaLiga. Head coach Diego Pablo Simeone González and the entire club leadership are said to be fully captivated by Lee Kang-in's versatility and tactical value.
The currently discussed transfer fee is around 30 million euros, or about 52.7 billion won. But if he keeps producing overwhelming performances like the one against the Czech Republic on the biggest stage of all, the World Cup, his market value will only continue to soar.
The 25-year-old midfield prodigy, who quietly sweated while saying, "I want to be a player who always helps the team, regardless of my role," has now stepped onto the stage for his true revenge. The curtain has just risen on Lee Kang-in's fierce release of frustration, honed on the cold bench.
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter