▲ Lee Kang-in attending his official presentation ceremony
South Korean football ace Lee Kang-in, who has made a new home in Madrid, Spain, has expressed a strong desire to win titles in the new season during his official local presentation ceremony.
At the public presentation ceremony held at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid ahead of the new La Liga season, Lee shared his bold aspirations, saying, "I came here with a strong ambition and passion to win titles."
Lee, who signed a long-term contract with the club through June 2031, first showcased himself to domestic fans during a friendly match against Manchester City for the Coupang Play Series held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 9th.
This event marked his first official public presentation after arriving in Spain.
Lee cited his "thirst for titles" as the background for choosing Atletico Madrid as his next destination.
"Having lived in Spain since I was young, I knew very well how great this club is," he said. "From the moment I received a call from the club, I wanted to join only to lift championship trophies. I will dedicate myself to training to bring joy to the fans."
He also revealed an anecdote involving the team's veteran midfielder, Koke.
"Koke was one of the biggest reasons I decided to sign with the club," Lee explained. "He contacted me directly. I am learning a lot from him every day."
Lee also shared his expectations for manager Diego Simeone, whom he has experienced firsthand during training sessions.
"What surprised me the most and felt different from my previous teams was the coach's immense passion," Lee pointed out.
He added, "Although the training intensity was very high, I genuinely enjoyed it thanks to the team's unique atmosphere. I am truly happy to be here."
He did not forget to share his overwhelming impressions of his unofficial debut played in front of domestic fans.
"My debut in Seoul wearing the Atletico Madrid jersey was a special day I will never forget," Lee stated, expressing his ambition. "I must work harder so that the club can become the team with the most fans in South Korea."
He showed a composed attitude regarding being assigned the number 7 jersey, which was previously worn by Antoine Griezmann, a symbolic player for the club.
Regarding the weight of the number 7, Lee pledged his dedication, saying, "My only goal is to help the team. I will do my absolute best in that role until the last day I wear this jersey."
Although he has made a glamorous return to the La Liga stage after leaving Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Lee faces the challenge of fierce tactical adaptation.
This is because his full participation in the preseason was somewhat delayed due to administrative procedures with the Military Manpower Administration regarding his military service exemption.
In particular, how quickly he integrates into manager Simeone's system—which demands strong defensive contribution and high work rates even from forwards—will be the key to his early competition for a starting spot.
Having finished last season trophyless, Atletico Madrid has completed massive roster reinforcements this summer to break the two-way dominance of Real Madrid and Barcelona, successively signing not only Lee Kang-in but also Alejandro Grimaldo (formerly of Bayer Leverkusen), Morten Hjulmand (formerly of Sporting CP), and Cristian Romero (formerly of Tottenham Hotspur).
Embarking on his conquest of the Spanish stage, Lee is expected to make his official debut in the 2026-2027 La Liga opening match against promoted side Malaga, scheduled to take place at his home stadium, the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, at 4:00 AM on the 20th (Korean time).
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.