"Was Even €60 Million a Bargain?" Lee Kang-in Shocks Spain, Named Fans' Player of the Month Just Two Months After Joining

[Financial News] "Even a transfer fee of €40 million (approximately 60 billion won) was not enough."
The rave reviews from Spanish media, which have been captivated by his performances, were finally validated by an overwhelming fan vote. Just two months after joining Atlético Madrid, Lee Kang-in, 25, has emerged as the club's top player as chosen directly by its supporters.
Atlético Madrid officially announced that Lee Kang-in had been selected as the September winner of the club's official fan vote for 'Cinco Estrellas Mahou'—the Mahou Five-Star Player award, given to the player of the month. Lee received the most support after a fierce contest against formidable first-team players, including Giuliano Simeone, Jonathan David, Alejandro Grimaldo and Johnny Cardoso.
After leaving Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) this summer and settling in Madrid, Lee commanded a total transfer fee of €40 million, consisting of €35 million upfront and €5 million in add-ons. At the time, questions remained over the sizable fee and whether he would secure sufficient playing time. Just two months after the season began, however, he has turned every doubt into praise.

The response from Spanish media has been explosive. Esto es Atleti, a media outlet specializing in Atlético Madrid, praised him, saying, "Lee Kang-in joined for €40 million, but he is increasingly proving through his performances that even that amount was not enough" and "The quality and talent he has shown have already established him as a key part of the team." In other words, he is creating value beyond the transfer fee paid.
The outlet added, "Lee Kang-in completely won over the fans in a record-short time (put them in his pocket)," and continued, "Without a long adjustment period, he has become the player most passionately cheered by the fans at home ground Riyadh Air Metropolitano through his talent, hard work and flashes of pure magic."

What is particularly encouraging is that he has completely overcome the weight of the iconic No. 7 shirt left behind by legendary ace Antoine Griezmann. Prominent sports publications Diario AS and Mundo Deportivo previously noted, "Lee Kang-in does not feel the weight of No. 7 at all" and "He has perfectly absorbed the attacking link-up play, aggressive pressing high up the pitch and midfield support role that Griezmann performed."
Lee Kang-in has reaffirmed his standing through a direct fan vote, going beyond the media's acclaim. Having shed the frustration of competing for a starting spot at PSG, he is surging at a remarkable pace toward becoming the new heartbeat of the Spanish capital.
[email protected] Jeon Sang-il Reporter