Spanish newspaper Marca reported that Lee Kang-in is encountering administrative hurdles in South Korea. Despite receiving military service exemption, a reward for winning the men's football gold medal at Asiad 2023, he must finalize specific procedures and secure an updated exit permit.

Lee Kang-in (number 19) and his South Korean teammates celebrate their 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in their opening match of Group A, World Cup 2026, at Akron Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico on 11/6. *Photo: AP*

Should the paperwork be finalized soon, Lee could join the team in Spain immediately. Otherwise, the 25-year-old winger will stay in South Korea to meet Atletico. The Madrid club plans to play a friendly against Man Utd in Sweden on 1/8, then travel to South Korea to face Man City on 9/8.

To maintain fitness, Lee Kang-in is training with FC Seoul. He and the South Korean national team previously exited the World Cup 2026 in the group stage.

Lee spent six years in the Valencia academy, another Spanish club, before joining their first team from 2018 to 2021. He then moved to Mallorca from 2021 to 2023, before his transfer to PSG. During his three seasons with the French club, he played 124 matches, scoring 16 goals and securing 12 titles, including two Champions League titles and three Ligue 1 titles.

Lee Kang-in has played 50 matches and scored 11 goals for the South Korean national team. In 2023, he helped the U23 national team defeat Japan 2-1 in the men's football final at the Asiad in Hangzhou, China.

Atletico signed Lee Kang-in, hoping he would replace Antoine Griezmann, who recently concluded his nine-year tenure at Metropolitano Stadium. The team, a Champions League semifinalist last season, also invested 68 million USD to acquire Alex Grimaldo from Leverkusen and Morten Hjulmand from Sporting.

Thanh Quy (according to Marca)