Lee Kang-in (Atlético Madrid), who missed the third match of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) league phase due to quadriceps (front thigh muscle) pain, has returned to team training.

Spanish media outlet Mundo Deportivo reported on the 22nd (local time) that "Lee Kang-in, who returned to team training, underwent tailored training as a precautionary measure against injury," adding, "Lee completed team training alongside the players who started in the UCL match."

Previously, Lee was named to the substitute bench for the 2026-2027 UCL league phase Matchday 3 (a 1-1 draw) against VfB Stuttgart (Germany) held on the 21st, but did not play.

Shortly afterward, Pedro Fullana, a reporter for the Spanish media outlet Cadena SER, posted on his X account, "Lee Kang-in is experiencing minor discomfort due to a quadriceps bruise, so he was not forced to play.

As a precautionary measure, he did not even take part in the warm-up."

Amidst this, Lee joined normal team training on the 22nd local time, brightening the prospects of his appearance in the upcoming Spanish La Liga Round 10 home match against Deportivo on the 25th.

Mundo Deportivo explained, "One of the pieces of good news that arrived for manager Diego Simeone in this training session was Lee Kang-in's return to training," adding, "Lee trained on the pitch alongside the players who started the third UCL match.

However, he adjusted his condition by taking on a relatively lighter training load compared to the players who missed or came on as substitutes in the third UCL match."

The outlet added, "Atlético's plan is to prepare Lee Kang-in so that he can play in the match against Deportivo this weekend," while noting, "Internally, however, the club's policy is not to take risks with Lee as a measure to protect the player."

(Photo: Getty Images)