South Korea left the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage with 3 points, sitting 3rd after a 1‑W‑0‑D‑2‑L run (recent form LLW). Though eliminated, Lee Kang-in (25, Paris Saint‑Germain) ranked 7th overall in dribble successes.

Why is Lee Kang‑in's dribble record noteworthy?

According to Squawka's July 8 release, Lee completed 11 successful dribbles, sharing 7th place with Portugal's Håvard Rein (AC Milan), Quirino's Tight Gong (Sheffield United) and France's Bradley Barcola (Paris SG). He logged five dribbles against the Czech Republic, four versus Mexico and two versus South Africa, posting a 78.7% success rate.

How does the record survive despite the team's exit?

South Korea played only three group matches before returning home, yet Lee's 11 dribbles outpace many players who reached the round of 32 or 16. Spain's Ramin Yamal (Barcelona) leads with 17, but Lee remains in the top‑10, highlighting his individual impact despite limited team minutes.

What’s the outlook for Lee’s transfer?

Lee is poised to join Atlético Madrid, with Spanish media and transfer analysts treating a €40 million (≈ 687 billion won) fee as a near‑certainty. A move to La Liga would give him a platform to showcase his dribbling on a higher stage and potentially raise his performance ceiling.

What challenges does South Korea face next?

After group‑stage elimination, South Korea must focus on rebuilding for future tournaments and youth development. The squad currently records 2 goals scored, 3 conceded (‑1 goal difference). They sit six points behind leaders Mexico in the qualification race, underscoring the need for tactical tweaks in upcoming friendlies and the Asian Cup. Lee’s overseas success could boost morale and inspire the next generation.